Mining Minds

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Kiwi Kaupa, an electrician, entrepreneur, and innovator who has taken his skills from New Zealand and Australia to the mining industry of Nevada. Kiwi shares how his love for fixing things began as a kid, how he built his career through an 8,000-hour apprenticeship, and why he sees mining as both a calling and an opportunity.

He talks about transitioning from electrician to lawyer and back to mining, starting his own company, and developing a groundbreaking laser safety device designed to improve safety in both underground and surface mining. Kiwi also opens up about his values, his "Kiwi Standard," and how family, faith, and culture drive everything he does. With humor, honesty, and a global perspective, this episode captures the story of a man who continues to innovate and raise the bar in mining safety and electrical work

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Chapters:

0:00 Childhood Curiosity & Becoming an Electrician

3:03 Early Mining Career in Australia

4:12 Moving to Nevada & Entering Mining as an Electrician

7:13 Growing Up in New Zealand & Family Life

9:22 Mission Work & Career Beginnings

10:27 Studying Law & Shifting Careers

13:08 Transitioning Back into Mining & Starting a Company

18:11 Financial Goals, Family Motivation & Work-Life Balance

26:58 The "Kiwi Standard" & Setting Rituals in Mining

43:21 Inventing the Laser Safety Device

50:51 Global Opportunities & The Future of Kiwi LLC

Join Mining Minds as we sit down with Ramon Aguirre, an underground miner whose journey spans from the drifts of Nevada to serving his country in the U.S. Army. Ramon shares how his mining career began, what drove him to enlist in the military, and how the lessons of discipline, safety, and brotherhood have carried back into his life underground.

Ramon opens up about the challenges of mining and military life, his transition back to the industry, and how family values continue to shape his work and personal drive. He reflects on his brother's battle with leukemia, the inspiration he draws from him, and his own journey preparing for a 50K run to raise awareness and support. With honesty, humor, and resilience, Ramon's story is one of service, sacrifice, and the strength of family—both at home and in the mining community

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Chapters:

0:00 Ramon's Early Mining Days & Family Roots

2:12 Joining the Military & Why He Served

4:03 Basic Training Stories & the "Stress Card"

6:18 Returning to Mining After the Army

9:07 Jacklegging, Blasting & Rehab Crew Work

14:26 Lessons from the Military & Safety Underground

18:42 Family, Brotherhood & Inspiration from His Brother

26:19 Training, Running & Preparing for a 50K

49:37 Music, Culture & Defining Success

Mining Minds sit down to tackle a topic that's often considered taboo in the mining community: finances. From making good money at the mine to spending it just as fast, the crew opens up about personal struggles, lessons learned, and strategies for building financial stability.

They dive into everything from impulse spending and "keeping up with the Joneses" to debt snowballs, budgeting with cash, planning for retirement, and even teaching kids about money. The conversation also touches on the reality of living through economic downturns, the psychology of money management, and how miners can use overtime and bonuses as tools rather than lifelines.

Honest, unfiltered, and relatable, this episode sheds light on the challenges many miners face with money—and how shifting habits can lead to long-term success both on and off the mine site.

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Chapters:

00:32 Why Talk About Finances?

04:12 Spending Habits in Mining Communities

06:07 Psychology of Money & Cash vs. Cards

09:31 Lessons from the 2008 Crash

14:01 Goal-Setting & Retirement Planning

15:24 Debt Snowball & Financial Behaviors

18:39 Overtime, Salaries & Work-Life Balance

24:03 Childhood Lessons & Parenting with Money

32:09 Value, Priorities & Teaching Kids

44:12 Financial Education & Company Resources

53:58 Breaking the Stigma Around Talking Money

55:19 Gambling, Habits & Nevada Culture

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Tom Mann, a proud multi-generational miner whose journey began in Idaho and carried him to the pits of Nevada. From running haul trucks, dozers, and blades to earning his seat as a shovel operator, Tom shares stories of adapting to big iron, building crews, and navigating the challenges of man camp life while raising a young family.

Tom opens up about the sacrifices miners make—long stretches away from family, tough schedules, and the constant push for production—while also highlighting the rewards of brotherhood, good pay, and the pride of moving mountains. He reflects on lessons learned from mentors, the importance of safe operations, and how mine rescue and EMT training shaped his role beyond mining dirt.

Blending humor, grit, and honesty, Tom talks about the culture of competition between crews, the satisfaction of working with skilled truck drivers and dozer hands, and the responsibility of keeping his crew safe every shift. Whether you're an operator, a family member, or just curious about the mining lifestyle, Tom's story captures the resilience, camaraderie, and heart that define miners everywhere.

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Chapters:

0:00 Family Roots in Mining

2:10 Early Days on Equipment

9:15 Camp Life & Family Sacrifices

12:58 Mentorship & Lessons Learned

16:42 Safety, Brotherhood & Crew Competition

21:33 Mine Rescue & EMT Training

26:18 Truck Drivers, Dozer Hands & Big Iron

30:42 Pay, Hours & Life in the Pit

36:20 Pride in Mining & Community

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Tim Chapman, a Georgia native whose journey took him from football fields and construction sites in the South to the gold mines of Northern Nevada. Tim shares how an accident shifted his path from athletics to heavy equipment, his first days operating haul trucks in a Nevada snowstorm, and the values that have carried him through a diverse mining career.

From running dozers and mentoring new operators to becoming a safety and health professional and mine rescue coordinator, Tim opens up about the lessons he's learned in leadership, teamwork, and resilience. He talks about the cultural differences between southern and western mining, the brotherhood of operations crews, and how mine rescue shaped his purpose as a mentor and problem solver.

Off the clock, Tim reflects on separating work from home, raising his family in Nevada, coaching youth football, and keeping faith and humility at the center of his life. With a mix of humor, southern charm, and honest reflection, this episode showcases the heart of a miner who's as committed to his crew as he is to his family.

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Chapters:

2:08 From Georgia to Mining

4:57 Family Sacrifices & Moving

8:39 Mentorship & Early Mining

20:13 Mine Rescue & New Roles

27:36 Philosophy on Growth & Hardheadedness

33:26 A Lifelong Desire to Help

37:02 Career Growth & Looking Forward

42:41 Work–Life Balance & Family

48:01 Advice on Chasing the Dollar

52:08 Happiness & Choosing Mining

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Brad Stocks (Stocks Mining Services), known to many as the Rock Doctor and a true veteran of the underground. Growing up around mines with his father, Brad shares stories of cutting his teeth in small operations, driving declines into high-grade veins, and learning the hard lessons that shaped his career.

From jacklegging at 19 to supervising major underground projects for some of the world's largest mining companies, Brad talks about the importance of standards, safety, and the trust that binds miners together. He reflects on the sacrifices miners make for their families, the challenges of changing schedules and bonus structures, and what the Barrick–Newmont joint venture could mean for the future of mining in Nevada.

Outside the mine, Brad opens up about his passion project—B Stocks Customs—where he builds custom trucks and side-by-sides, bringing the same attention to detail and pride in workmanship that he applies underground. With humor, honesty, and decades of experience, Brad reminds us why mining is about more than gold—it's about people, family, and building something that lasts.

Chapters:

00:0 Growing Up Around Mines

4:52 Family Lessons & Mining Stability

9:49 Leadership & Relating to Miners

18:30 Underground Brotherhood & Trust

21:09 Family, Sacrifice & Why Miners Work

32:36 Future of Nevada Mining

43:36 B Stocks Customs

55:13 Nicknames & Underground Culture

57:26 Education, Experience & the School of Hard Knocks

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Nate Trujillo, a seasoned surface miner and supervisor out of Ely, Nevada. From his early days in construction and mining to his return home after years in Las Vegas, Nate shares his career journey, the challenges of mining copper, and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Nate opens up about the values that drive him as a leader—coaching, mentoring, and investing in people to build strong crews and lasting careers. He discusses balancing life in small mining communities, the struggles of separating friendship from business, and the family values that connect miners across generations.

The conversation takes a personal turn as Nate reflects on fatherhood from a distance, striving to be the dad he never had while raising a son in Southern Nevada. With humor, honesty, and stories of resilience, this episode highlights the heart of mining: family, community, and the drive to do better every day.

Chapters:

01:00 Early Days & Getting into Mining

03:00 Money vs. Challenge in Mining

05:00 Career Path & Supervisory Ambitions

07:00 Leadership Style & Coaching

10:00 Mentorship & Sustaining Success

13:00 Small-Town Mining Life & Tough Decisions

20:00 Mining Challenges & Community

23:00 Work-Life Balance & Outlets

29:00 Tooth Story & Family Boxing Matches

41:00 Fatherhood from a Distance

The Mining Minds crew dives deep into the Barrick-Newmont joint venture—a monumental partnership reshaping the mining landscape in Northern Nevada and beyond. Dino, Chris, Derek, and a returning Jason James unpack the backstory, industry implications, miner concerns, and the potential for political and economic ripple effects.

From wage competition and union dynamics to exploration potential and permitting politics, this raw, real conversation runs through it all. If you work in mining—or want to understand how Northern Nevada is influencing the global gold game—this episode is for you.

Chapters:

00:00 Rumor Mill

3:26 Historic Collaboration

5:14 Synergies and Stakeholder Impact

8:12 Operational Efficiencies & Future Mine Life

12:26 Political Influence & Community Impact

18:06 Generational Opportunities & Concerns for Miners

23:21 Speculation, Transition & The Unknowns

30:04 Redistribution of Jobs & Site Opportunities

37:31 Staying Grounded & Avoiding Distractions

40:15 Skepticism vs Optimism

In mining, the face is where the action happens—where the work is done, where the people are, and where the business begins. Mining Minds is a podcast based in one of the world's most prolific gold-producing regions. Drawing from our own experiences and those of miners working at the face, we explore the lives of the individuals driving the industry forward, the communities and companies that support them, and the unique lifestyles they embrace.

Through candid conversations and real-world insights, we examine the critical role mining plays in our global society—and why responsible, sustainable mining is essential for both our environment and our future.

Brass in and join us for a podcast that informs, inspires, and entertains.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to the Face!

3:50 What is Mining Minds?

7:40 The Heart of the Industry: The Miner

11:31Health and Wellness in Mining

15:21From Operator to Leader

19:11Learning Through Experience

23:02 The Role of Mine Rescue

26:52 Family, Finances, & Life Balance

30:52 The Power of Real Conversations

34:33 Industry Diversity & Unity

38:23 Sustainable and Responsible Mining

42:13 Looking Ahead