Mining Minds is recording again from San Antionio for the Annual Women in Mining Conference—and in this powerful episode, we sit down with Jennie (Rice) Davis, 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 Idaho Chapter of Women in Mining. 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 numbers, Jennie’s story reminds us that the mining world is built on more than minerals—it’s built on people who never stop driving forward. Join Mining Minds as we Welcome Jennie Davis to the Face!

Sponsors:

Norcat-GBC MST

Liebherr Mining

Gold West Fire & Safety Services

Chapters:

00:00 Introducing Jennie Davis

06:39 The Beginning of Persistency

13:15 Saying yes when the moment finds you

23:54 Keep showing up & Being Authentic

30:10 Building the next generation miner

37:22 Empowering mining with finical insight

41:23 Proud career moments and event highlights

45:50 This isn’t your grandpa’s mining company anymore

In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, Mining Minds 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 scratch (literally and metaphorically), the challenges of living frugally, and the joys of doing it all with love.

From all of us at Mining Minds — Happy Mother’s Day!

To the women holding it down in work boots, office chairs, at home, or in the classrooms — this episode is for you. Thank you for the strength, love, and lessons you pass on every day.

Pour a cup of coffee (or scotch) and tune in for one of our most touching conversations yet.

Sponsors:

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

GBC-NORCAT

Liebherr Mining

Chapters:

12:10 Young Love

21:29 Courtship, wedding bells, and a $5 dress

34:33 Haul Trucks and Maintaining

48:32 North to Alaska

1:05:32 Earthquakes and Endurance

1:17:11 Lower 48

1:26:39 Metaphysics

1:34:21 Early Childhood Development

1:39:11 Telling stories in the middle of it

Join Mining Minds on location at the Women in Mining 2025 National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, as we sit down with two dynamic women shaping the future of mining—Kimberly Myhre and Alexia Carver. Sponsoring the trip were Arnold Machinery and Gold West Fire and Safety, this special episode dives deep into the real-world experiences of women at different stages in their mining careers.

Kimberly, a chemical engineer with WSP 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 positive changes within the industry.

Alexia, a bright up-and-coming metallurgist and UNR student, brings the perspective of the next generation of miners. She talks candidly about breaking into the industry, the realities of being a woman in mining, and what it will take for companies to retain young, diverse talent.

From discussions on psychological safety and site culture, to tips for navigating mining as a young professional, this episode captures the passion, grit, and vision driving women in mining. Join Mining Minds as we sit down with Kimberly Myhre and Alexia Carver at the Women in Mining 2025 National Conference.

Sponsors:

Gold West Fire & Safety Services

Arnold Machinery

Liebherr Mining

GBC-NORCAT MST

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

Chapters:

00:00 Introductions and special thanks

3:30 Kimberly Myhre

9:03 Mining with Purpose

10:45 Alexia Carver

16:11 The Culture for Young Women

28:04 Building Better Mining Cultures

40:49 Advice to Young Professionals

51:58 The Future of Mining