The mining industry stands at a crossroads. With a rapidly aging workforce, persistent misconceptions, and the growing demand for innovation, the need to reshape how we attract, develop, and retain talent has never been more urgent.

In this powerful panel edition of the Mining Minds Podcast, we bring together six influential leaders from across the industry to engage in an honest, forward-thinking discussion on the future of workforce development in mining.

Featuring:

• Alexia Carver (University of Nevada Reno) – Metallurgical engineer student and student outreach advocate

• Liz Diaz (Hecla Nevada) – HR leader driving grassroots education and skilled trade pipelines

• Don Dwyer (Orla Mining Ltd.) – GM dedicated to leadership, development, and operational culture

• Nikita Grover (Kinross Nevada) – HR strategist redefining mining’s brand and workforce engagement

• Linda Honey (Protected at Work) – Training and policy expert specializing in workplace safety, compliance, and psychological well-being

• Victor Ortiz (i80 Gold Corp) – Safety director with firsthand knowledge of ground-up growth

Together, the panel explores how to redefine mining careers for the next generation, what meaningful development truly look like on site, why the industry must embrace storytelling and digital presence, and how to build workplace cultures that grow people—not just fill roles.

Episode Sponsors:

Liebherr Mining

JSR Fleet Performance

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction & Panel Overview

9:06 Challenges from the HR Lens

11:48 Younger Perspectives

18:53 Messaging and Industry Branding

22:51 Measuring Success

27:43 Tech Adoption & Employee Buy-In

31:53 From Haul Trucks to Leadership

40:17 Sparking Youth Interest

43:36 Outbound Community Engagement

49:18 Reaching All Ages with the Right Message

53:03 Innovation & Speaking Up

55:31 Prioritizing Mental Wellness

1:02:49 Upskilling Through Experience

1:10:59 Open Questions – Barriers & Bold Moves

In this episode of the podcast Mining Minds sits down with two remarkable women reshaping the health and wellness landscape: Melissa Montalvo and Josie Cervantes of Elko Replenish Med Spa.

Together, they reveal how their professional experiences—from ER trauma to urgent care frustrations—sparked a vision: to create a space that not only heals but empowers. That vision became Elko Replenish Med Spa, a modern facility focused on hormone therapy, IV nutrition, weight management, and overall wellness.

The duo discusses how their clinic is bridging the gap between conventional medicine and preventative care, especially for miners and working professionals in Northern Nevada.
From hormone optimization and detox treatments to addressing male and female health in the mining industry, Melissa and Josie are revolutionizing rural medicine with empathy, education, and science-backed solutions. Join Mining Minds as we welcome Elko Replenish Med Spa to the Face!

Episode Sponsors:

GBC-NORCAT

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

Episode Chapters:

2:23 South Texas Roots

9:27 Basson to Basketball

37:26 Medical Training Meets Bureaucracy

43:07 Leap of Faith

52:48 The Birth of Elko Replenish Med Spa

1:21:09 Hormones, Bro Science, and Real Health

1:41:31 The Vision

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Trampus Cook, Regional Director for RAM Enterprise Inc., whose journey through the mining world is as rich and layered as the ore bodies he’s helped uncover. A fourth-generation miner and cowboy at heart, Trampus takes us through his early days jacklegging in narrow veins of California gold mines, running heavy equipment under Lake Erie, and eventually stepping into leadership with RAM.

From growing up between the ropes of cowboy life and the rails of underground shafts, to being a single father raising four young kids while chasing production, Trampus shares raw and emotional insights that go far beyond muck and machines. He opens up about defining moments in fatherhood, building trust and culture in the mining community, and how being told “you’re not alone” by a five-year-old became a driving force in his life.

Whether you’re a miner, a parent, or someone navigating life’s challenges, Trampus’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength found in grit, purpose, and personal growth. Join Mining Minds as we Welcome Trampus Cook to the Face!

Episode Sponsors:

Liebherr Mining

GBC-NORCAT

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

Chapters:

00:00 Truth or Consequences

35:05 Breaking Out in the Muck

38:25 Safety Culture and Bonus Systems in Mining

01:12:46 The Value of Experience in Mining

01:25:19 Challenges and Rewards of Being a Tramp Miner

01:49:03 Balancing Fatherhood and Work in the Mining Industry

01:52:41 Innovations and Challenges in Underground Mining

02:24:36 Safety Lessons

02:25:23 Leadership and Management Insights