
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In this special episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down at U.S. Steel Minntac with Mike Bakk, Director of Facilities Excellence, and Chrissy Bartovich, Senior Director of Environmental. From humble beginnings to leading major projects that shape the future of steelmaking, Mike and Crissy share their personal journeys, leadership lessons, and the innovations driving today's mining industry.
We dive into the transformation of mining from "pick and shovel" to high-tech operations featuring AI, robotic dogs, and advanced reliability systems. Mike and Crissy sheds light on the critical role of environmental stewardship, community engagement, and the innovations needed to meet evolving regulations. Together, their stories highlight resilience, continuous improvement, and a legacy of mining that sustains families, communities, and industries for generations to come. Brass in to join the conversation!
Special thanks to Kristen Vake (Iron Mining Association of MN), Julie Lucas and Talia Sandys (MiningMinnesota) for making this episode possible.
Episode Sponsors:
Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals
JSR Fleet Performance
Liebherr Mining
Episode Chapters:
02:15 Mike's early start and path into mining
07:50 Lessons from leadership at a young age
13:15 Managing crews and building respect
17:00 Career moves and new opportunities at Keetac
26:00 The $150M pellet upgrade project
29:00 Community pride and the impact of steelmaking
34:00 Robotics, AI, and mining's digital future
38:00 Crissy's journey into mining & environmental leadership
48:40 Compliance, community trust, and high standards
53:30 Community advisory panels & public transparency
59:30 Innovation in environmental solutions: crowdsourcing success
01:09:00 Opportunities at U.S. Steel and the future of mining
By Mining Minds4.9
9393 ratings
In this special episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down at U.S. Steel Minntac with Mike Bakk, Director of Facilities Excellence, and Chrissy Bartovich, Senior Director of Environmental. From humble beginnings to leading major projects that shape the future of steelmaking, Mike and Crissy share their personal journeys, leadership lessons, and the innovations driving today's mining industry.
We dive into the transformation of mining from "pick and shovel" to high-tech operations featuring AI, robotic dogs, and advanced reliability systems. Mike and Crissy sheds light on the critical role of environmental stewardship, community engagement, and the innovations needed to meet evolving regulations. Together, their stories highlight resilience, continuous improvement, and a legacy of mining that sustains families, communities, and industries for generations to come. Brass in to join the conversation!
Special thanks to Kristen Vake (Iron Mining Association of MN), Julie Lucas and Talia Sandys (MiningMinnesota) for making this episode possible.
Episode Sponsors:
Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals
JSR Fleet Performance
Liebherr Mining
Episode Chapters:
02:15 Mike's early start and path into mining
07:50 Lessons from leadership at a young age
13:15 Managing crews and building respect
17:00 Career moves and new opportunities at Keetac
26:00 The $150M pellet upgrade project
29:00 Community pride and the impact of steelmaking
34:00 Robotics, AI, and mining's digital future
38:00 Crissy's journey into mining & environmental leadership
48:40 Compliance, community trust, and high standards
53:30 Community advisory panels & public transparency
59:30 Innovation in environmental solutions: crowdsourcing success
01:09:00 Opportunities at U.S. Steel and the future of mining

229,286 Listeners

5,677 Listeners

41,273 Listeners

87,740 Listeners

112,840 Listeners

22,517 Listeners

69,733 Listeners

16,249 Listeners

1,183 Listeners

9,644 Listeners

44,639 Listeners

40,615 Listeners

2,043 Listeners

792 Listeners

1,493 Listeners