Mining Minds

In this episode, Mining Minds sits down with Merlyn McGraw, a man whose life journey has been shaped by the hard work and values he learned growing up on a ranch in Wyoming. Merlyn shares stories from his early years working alongside his family, where he first understood the importance of hard work, respect, and dedication.

From his humble beginnings at a local gas station to riding a Kawasaki 125 into Arizona to be closer to his brother, Merlyn's path took him to the world of water well drilling. It was here that he truly began learning the ropes, taking the time to master his craft and ensure that everything was done correctly.

Merlyn's journey also led him into both surface and underground mining, where he gained invaluable experience operating heavy equipment in some of the most challenging environments. He talks about the importance of listening and empowering those around you, building trust within teams, and what "doing things right" truly looks like when it comes to operating equipment in mining.

We explore the heavy responsibility that each miner carries in ensuring safety and efficiency in their work. Join Mining Minds for an insightful conversation about hard work, leadership, and what it takes to thrive as an equipment operator in the mining industry.

Sponsors:

GBC-NORCAT

Heavy Metal Equipment Rentals

Liebherr Mining

Chapters:

00:00 Growing up Wyoming

06:18 Typical day on the ranch

17:77 What it takes to be a good worker

23:02 Riding into Arizona on a Kawasaki 125

33:51 Drill Rigs and water wells

57:44 Listening and empowering people

58:38 Getting into mining

1:09:21 Equipment operations, trust, and knowing what good looks like

1:24:28 Training and responsibility

1:35:14 Going Underground

1:53:33 Advice for the young miner

On this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Clorinda and Shawn Cosper to talk about the unique and often challenging life of a traveling miner's wife. Clorinda opens up about her journey, from growing up in a small town and planting roots to give her children stability, to meeting Shawn, and navigating the traveling miner's life.

As we dive into their story, Clorinda shares the ups and downs of supporting a lifestyle that requires constant travel, the struggles of managing multiple W-2's, and setting clear expectations for their family's success. We also explore what it looks like to raise children in a home with a traveling miner, including the emotional toll on both parents and the importance of asking for help when needed.

Now both actively involved in their community and the VFW, Clorinda and Shawn offer valuable advice for couples in similar situations, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, communication, and community support to make it all work. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, love, and balancing family life on the move. Join the conversation and help us welcome Clorinda and Shawn Cosper to the FACE!

Sponsors:

GBC-NORCAT

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

Chapters:

00:00 Battle Born

12:46 Meeting her miner

20:21 Staying in one spot

30:03 The start of traveling

39:07 The ups and downs

48:15 The amount of W2's

1:01:49 Bootlegging Parts

1:21:14 Working together and the VFW Post 10054

1:42:17 Advice for others

In this episode, Mining Minds sits down with Rodrigo Barbosa, the CEO of Aura Minerals, to explore his leadership philosophy and approach to building thriving organizations. Rodrigo shares insights gained from his diverse experience working across different companies and cultures, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where people can truly succeed.

He discusses the significance of understanding the human element in business, empowering those on the frontlines to make key decisions, and why it's crucial not to overcomplicate things. Rodrigo believes in the power of transparency and staying true to your plan, even in the face of challenges. He also touches on the importance of building strong company cultures that embrace learning from failure as a stepping stone to success.

As a leader in the mining industry, Rodrigo highlights how mining can have a tremendously positive impact on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) efforts, shaping a better future for communities and the planet. Join Mining Minds as we Welcome Rodrigo Barbosa to the FACE!

Aura Minerals

Sponsors:

Liebherr Mining

FAST2 Mine

Heavy Metal Equipment Rentals

Chapters:

00:00 Growing up in Brazil

11:47 Developing a successful journey

32:42 Learning the human being

38:15 Good projects, good pipelines, good balance sheets, and good people

45:43 Buiding cutlures and letting people fail

59:58 Culture is a flagship asset

1:09:46 Mining needs to do a better job of showcasing their image

1:14:48 Mining has the most positive impact on ESG

In this episode, Mining Minds sits down with Jason Bubba, Chief Operating Officer of NORCAT, a leader in mining innovation and training. Born and raised in a mining town, Jason's journey is deeply influenced by his early passion for martial arts, which has shaped both his personal and professional life. From entrepreneurial ventures to working his way up at NORCAT, Jason has been instrumental in driving change in the mining industry. He's dedicated to developing the next generation of miners through innovative training programs, and NORCAT's collaboration with Great Basin College is helping to expand their reach into Nevada. With a "Start Small and Grow Fast" mentality, Jason and NORCAT continue to build on their success. Tune in as we explore his career, the impact of NORCAT, and the exciting partnership with Great Basin College. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation, check out GBC-NORCAT MST at nevadamst.com. Please help us welcome Jason Bubba to The Face!

Sponsors:

Liebherr

FAST2 Mine

Heavy Metal Equipment and Rentals

Chapters:

00:00 Born, Raised, and Living in a Mining Town

06:30 Martial Arts

15:29 Early Entrepreneur

27:03 Becoming NORCAT

55:35 Nevada Expansion

1:08:36 Education as part of the Social License to Operate

1:22:54 Future Vision

1:35:27 Areas of Opportunity

Welcome into this episode of the podcast and to the Glizzy Golf Invitational – where golf, questionable commentary, and unforgettable moments collide! This isn't your average tournament. With participants from across the mining industry and with varying backgrounds, the Glizzy Golf Invitational in Elko, Nevada brings together engineers, geologists, metallurgists, and more for an event that's as much about making memories as it is about hitting birdies.

Starting in 2023, this event has quickly become a must-attend gathering for the mining industry. Each year the format changes, keeping things fresh, fun, and full of surprises. Expect plenty of laughs, questionable takes, and some wild stories you won't hear anywhere else. Whether you're into golf or just looking for a good time, this podcast is one you don't want to miss! Join the conversation and Brass in at Miningmindsllc.com

Sponsors:

Liebherr Mining

GBC-NORCAT

Heavy Metal Equipment and Rentals

Chapters:

00:00 The Glizzy Golf Invitational overview with Jimmy Macpherson Jr. and Josh Hayes

20:53 Jake "Where's the Grape Juice" Oakley

36:32 Brad "12 Milli Heartburn" Wilmot

44:10 Jonah "Va-Jonah" Odlozinski

55:27 Holly Clayton

01:06:35 Domingo Garcia

01:21:21 Nick "Bin Chicken" Massie

01:37:31 Logan "The Wolverine" Medlock

01:45:52 Josh "Bad Luck Boys" Berg

01:55:40 Final Thoughts

On this episode of Mining Minds, we travel to Miami, Arizona, to take part in Capstone Copper's Open Family Days—an event designed to showcase the mine site, the dedicated individuals working there, and to foster community education. We sat down with David Gines, the maintenance manager for Capstone Copper, to discuss the event and hear about his personal mining journey.

In addition, we have a conversation with up-and-coming artist Yawnee Gunna, who shares his experiences as a rapper and his journey of overcoming addiction. We also chat with Josh Sumsion from Arnold Machinery, who offers his perspective on educating the mining industry through innovative content creation.

From the exciting event to the inspiring conversations, we were able to experience the strong family atmosphere Capstone Copper cultivated for this memorable occasion. Tune in for an episode full of insight, stories, and community spirit! Thank you to Arnold Machinery, Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc., and Capstone Copper for allowing us to take part in this amazing event.

Capstone Copper Job Board

Arnold Machinery

Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc.

Yawnee Gunna

Sponsors:

GBC-NORCAT MST

Heavy Metal Equipment Rentals

FAST2 Mine

Ill Zakiel

Chapters:

00:00 Capstone Copper, Open Family Days

05:58 David Gines

13:25 Work Ethic Today

23:47 Recognizing Drive & Taking Opportunities

30:21 Better in our Backyards

44:33 A Day without a Miner

106:07 Morgan Evans with Wyatt Courtney

111:40 Mental Health

119:37 Yawnee Gunna

126:52 Walking out of Addiction

144:12 Josh Sumsion

147:31 Growing up Creative

152:00 Content is Key

202:35 Arnold Machinery

In this episode, Mining Minds welcomes Emmy Award-winning producer Jim LePera for an in-depth conversation about his extraordinary career in sports television and golf broadcasting. From his Philadelphia roots to working with some of the biggest names in the industry, Jim offers a fascinating look into the evolution of sports media and the pivotal role golf played in his journey.

We explore how his early work ethic, shaped by family and life lessons, laid the foundation for a career that brought him into close contact with some amazing individuals. Jim shares humorous and heartwarming anecdotes about navigating the celebrity world, producing live events, and the unique challenges of the ever-changing television landscape. Join Mining Minds as we Welcome Jim LePera to the Face!

Sponsors:

Liebherr Mining

FAST2 Mine

Motor Mission

Ill Zakiel

Chapters:

00:00 Introductions

07:20 Driving with Dad

25:24 The Journey into Golf

32:41 Behind the Scenes

50:57 Memorable Moments

01:20:21 Family and Career Balance

01:30:21 Evolution of the Golf Industry

Frank Sinatra - My Way

In this episode, Mining Minds welcomes equipment operator Elmer Cantlin, as he's carving out a new path in the mining industry. From his Reno roots and youthful adventures in hunting and fishing to embracing the realities of life on a haul truck, Elmer offers a candid and deeply personal account of his journey.

Elmer reflects on how his upbringing, shaped by family traditions and hard lessons, prepared him for a life of resilience and adaptability. He shares raw and humorous anecdotes about stepping into the mining world, from grueling night shifts to mastering cutting-edge equipment. Elmer also touches on the importance of teamwork, safety, and the camaraderie that binds miners together. Join Mining Minds as we welcome Elmer Canton to the Face!

Sponsors:

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

Liebherr Mining

FAST2 Mine

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction of Elmer

06:01 Growing up in Reno, NV

10:20 Getting into Construction

28:28 Nevada Surf and Turf

49:04 Aggregate Mining

58:44 Big Northern Nevada Mining

74:47 Comfortable Speaking Up

84:47 Early Good Habits

In Part 2 of The Role of Nevada's Mining Industry, Mining Minds dives deeper into the critical topics shaping the industry now and, in the years, to come. We examine production trends in Nevada and around the globe, forecast upcoming business shifts, and highlight the evolving role of mining vendors. Additionally, we address the challenges of attracting talent, maintaining workforce quality, and the significance of mining tenure and education. The conversation also explores advancements in technology and the collaborative dynamics of working with regulatory authorities in this ever-evolving landscape. Join Mining Minds as we conclude our discussion on "The Role of Nevada's Mining Industry,2024"!

Nevada Mining Association

Sponsors:

FAST2 Mine

Liebherr Mining

Rubicon Mechanical

Chapters:

1:13 Production

12:51 Gold Demand

29:31 Workforce Quality

39:04 Mining Tenure

46:40 Mining Education

64:01 Technology and Regulatory Authorities

83:01 Episode Recap

In this 2-part podcast Mining Minds takes you deep into the heart of the Nevada Mining Industry. Reviewing a presentation discussed at this year's annual Nevada Mining Association Conference we dive into the critical topics shaping the mining industry's future. From fostering a "Stop the Waste" culture to analyzing Nevada's economic trajectory, we discuss the challenges of balancing inflation and pay scales, the impact of permitting difficulties on operations, and the evolving landscape of employment in mining. We also break down mining's GDP contributions by state and the role of industry taxes in driving economic progress. Click "The Role of Nevada's Mining Industry, 2024" to follow along during our insightful conversation on the forces influencing mining today and tomorrow! Brass in to share your thoughts!

Nevada Mining Association

Sponsors:

Liebherr Mining

FAST2 Mine

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

Chapters:

0:00 Introductions

11:51 Nevada's Economic Direction

21:11 Investment Attractiveness

36:40 Employment in the Mining Industry

45:46 Ore Grade and Mining Methods

56:46 Mining GDP by State

69:39 Annual Pay versus Inflation

81:00 Taxes in the Mining Industry