#185- WIM: Margaret Hinton & Paige Courtney
Mining Minds
Recorded on-site at the 2025 Conference in San Antonio, this episode brings authentic, unfiltered stories from two rising voices in the mining world— and . With backgrounds as diverse as cotton farming and competitive athletics to engineering and financial investigations, Margaret and Paige dive into how they found purpose and passion in the mining industry. Together, they share how mining became more than a career—it's a community. From their first experiences in tunnels and copper pits to working on a new Women in Mining chapter in the Midwest, they highlight the importance of...
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#184- WIM: Jennie Davis
Mining Minds
is recording again from San Antionio for the Annual Conference—and in this powerful episode, we sit down with , a trailblazer whose mining journey redefines perseverance, grit, and growth. Starting as a janitor at just 18, Jennie carved her way through the industry—hauling rock in 777s, navigating early-career adversity, and ultimately rising to become a respected Business Manager and Vice President of the . Her story is proof that showing up, staying persistent, and saying “yes” to opportunity can transform not just a career, but a life. Whether you're operating equipment or running...
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#183- Patti Haye
Mining Minds
In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, sits down with the unforgettable Patti Haye — mother, grandmother, storyteller, and true pioneer of family life. At 87 years young, Patti takes us on a powerful journey through her life growing up post World War II, navigating early motherhood, and supporting a family through decades of cross-country moves, strikes, and the Alaskan wilderness. With stories that span barefoot days in the Yakima Valley to raising children in harsh winters and small mining towns, Patti reminds us of what resilience looks like. She talks about building homes from...
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#182- WIM: Kimberly Myhre and Alexia Carver
Mining Minds
Join on location at the 2025 National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, as we sit down with two dynamic women shaping the future of mining— and . Sponsoring the trip were and , this special episode dives deep into the real-world experiences of women at different stages in their mining careers. Kimberly, a chemical engineer with and a passionate advocate for environmental responsibility in mining, shares how a catastrophic mine spill in her hometown sparked her career. She opens up about the cultural challenges she's faced on mine sites and why she remains committed to driving...
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#181- JD Sundseth
Mining Minds
In this episode of , we sit down with —owner of . JD takes us on a candid journey through his life: from a small-town kid in Spring Creek, Nevada, to a tire-slinging high schooler at , to operating heavy equipment in remote mountain terrain. He opens up about starting a family young, learning the ropes the hard way, and navigating the mining industry—from exploration and greenfield development to full-scale operations. JD shares stories from his wild first day at the mine site, why he never had to run a scraper, and what it really means to be a hands-on leader. as we Welcome JD...
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#180- Industry Solutions
Mining Minds
is excited to announce our strategic partnership with and . In this episode we discuss what the influence of mining looks like, we explore the critical importance of understanding operational material management and how past lessons can serve to educate the future of the mining industry. We discuss the concept of viewing production as an ecosystem, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all aspects of operations. Throughout the episode, we delve into the value of this partnership, particularly in evaluating operations and maintenance functions, with a focus on cultivating the right culture...
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#179- Tony Morfin
Mining Minds
, Partner and CEO of , sits down with to share his personal journey of hard work and resilience. A third-generation miner and proud Nevadan, Tony grew up surrounded by the mining industry, offering a firsthand perspective on what it’s like to grow up in a mining town. From the age of 13, when he started his first job, Tony’s work ethic was shaped by a commitment to hard work. As a young adult, Tony reflects on his early mining experiences, the challenges he faced, and his competitive nature. His career path took him from construction in Las Vegas to eventually becoming a father, but the...
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#178- Merlyn McGraw
Mining Minds
In this episode, sits down with , 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...
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#177- Clorinda Cosper
Mining Minds
On this episode of we sit down with and 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...
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#176- Rodrigo Barbosa
Mining Minds
In this episode, sits down with , the CEO of , 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...
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In this episode, Mining Minds welcomes Conway Fraser, co-founder of Fraser Torosay and co-author of Leaders Under Fire! Drawing from his roots in Sudbury, Canada, Conway shares his incredible journey growing up in a mining town on the Nickel Belt, where his passion for storytelling blossomed through high school broadcasting.
Conway reflects on his early career reporting on mining companies, highlighting the invaluable lessons he learned on his way to becoming an award-winning investigative journalist at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. We dive into the fast-paced world of today’s media, emphasizing the crucial importance of trusting credible information. Conway also opens up about his bold decision to leave a successful journalism career to empower mining companies to share their positive stories.
In our conversations we tackle one of the mining industry's biggest challenges: the failure to communicate. Conway underscores the necessity of transparency with both workers and the communities surrounding mining operations. He shares effective strategies for proactively managing communication, advocating for a more engaged and informed mining sector.
We explore the vital role communication plays in mining and how leaders can harness their stories to build trust and connection within the mining industry. Join Mining Minds as we welcome Conway Fraser to the Face!
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Episode Chapters
00:00 Intro and Mine Expo Las Vegas Recap
12:05 Growing up in a Mining Town
25:22 Finding Broadcasting
32:48 College Days
39:17 Heavy Industry Broadcasting
50:02 Trusting Media
53:59 Mining's biggest risk
105:48 Recognizing the importance of communication
119:19 Educating the world on mining
132:40 Viewing mining as somthing to invest in
138:08 Advice for the industry
141:12 Having fun in his career
150:00 Episode Recap