From a 16-year-old kid cleaning shops to the Director of Mine Skills Training at Great Basin College (GBC/NORCAT), Travis Macias embodies what it means to grind, grow, and give back. In this inspiring episode of Mining Minds, Travis shares his raw, real journey through life underground — from hard lessons on the jackleg to leading Nevada’s next generation of miners. He opens up about fatherhood, faith, mentorship, and how tragedy and resilience guided his purpose. Whether you’re a miner, mentor, or dreamer, this is an episode about humility, perseverance, and the power of giving a damn.

Travis reflects on the old-school lessons that forged his work ethic, the mentors who pushed him to be better, and the importance of accountability both at work and at home. He dives deep into how mining shaped his character — and how he’s now shaping the future of the industry through education and innovation. Tune in for real talk, laughs, and life lessons from a man who’s lived it, led it, and continues to pay it forward. Please help us Welcome Travis Macias to the Face!

Episode Sponsors:

JSR Fleet Performance

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

Episode Chapters:

04:12 – Growing Up Carlin Tough

08:41 – When Home Becomes a Time, Not a Place

13:21 – Hard Lessons and Humility Underground

16:42 – Safety, Tragedy, and the Moment Everything Changed

27:26 – Tough Bosses, Tough Love, Real Growth

36:26 – Workforce Development: Then vs. Now

40:08 – Brotherhood, Bar Fights, and Bonds Built Underground

54:05 – Leaving the Mine: Building a Gym, Building Character

01:17:13 – Entering Training: Teaching the Next Generation

01:43:33 – Technology, VR, and Immersive Mining Education

01:53:07 – Raising Up Others, Not Holding Them Back

As we wrap up our tour to the Minnesota Iron Range, Mining Minds had the opportunity to sit down with Bob Sterns and Virginia Bennett of US Steel Minntac for a raw and insightful conversation about life, mining, and community in Minnesota’s Iron Range. From Bob’s deep-rooted family history in mining to Virginia’s journey from military brat to analytical technician, they share their insight into the mining cycle of the Iron Range and their passion for preserving it through responsible mining.

We talk oil analysis, pellet production, the critical role of Iron Range mining in America’s infrastructure, and the challenges—and opportunities—of technology like AI and autonomy in mining. With humor, honesty, and a few unexpected tangents, this episode delivers both laughter and lessons. Please help us welcome Bob & Virginia to the Face!

Special thanks to Kristen Vake (Iron Mining Association of MN), Julie Lucas and Talia Sandys (Mining Minnesota) for making this episode possible.

Although it didn’t make it into much of the episode, much of our day was spent talking about Fishing With Vets — a nonprofit dedicated to giving veterans the chance to enjoy the outdoors, connect with others, and find peace on the water. Through guided fishing trips and community events, they honor and support both active duty and retired service members.

Episode Sponsors:

JSR Fleet Performance

Motor Mission Machine & Radiator

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

Episode Chapters:

06:20 A third-generation mining legacy

09:54 Testing samples & catching failures early

13:14 Mining for sustainability vs. production pressure

15:22 Old technology, new challenges

17:06 AI, automation & the union perspective

21:57 Community impact of mine closures

27:02 Military roots to mining career

32:08 How Iron Range connects to global steel

36:23 Passion, pride & America’s steel backbone

39:36 Permitting roadblocks & mining’s future

43:18 Mining as a career path for the next generation

49:25 Respect for every role—from truck drivers to lab techs

What does pride, legacy, and the future of mining look like on Minnesota’s Iron Range? In this episode, we sit down with Ida Rukavinia, Commissioner of the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, and Kristen Vake, Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, to dig deep into the history, culture, and future of mining in northern Minnesota.

From immigrant roots and unions that shaped entire communities, to today’s challenges of permitting, workforce development, and the global demand for critical minerals—Ida and Kristen share candid insights about what it means to grow up in a mining family, how mining tax dollars are reinvested back into schools and communities, and why educating the next generation is more important than ever.

Whether you’re rooted in the Iron Range or just discovering its story, this episode will remind you why mining is more than an industry—it’s a lifeline for communities, a driver of innovation, and a proud tradition carried forward by people like Ida and Kristen who refuse to quit.

Special thanks to Kristen Vake (Iron Mining Association of MN), Julie Lucas and Talia Sandys (MiningMinnesota) for making this episode possible.

Episode Sponsors:

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

Gold West Fire and Safety Services

JSR Fleet Performances

Episode Chapters:

05:40 The Legacy of the Iron Range

13:05 From Past Struggles to Present Opportunities

17:30 Ida’s Journey to Commissioner

26:10 Mining Tax Dollars and Community Reinvestment

41:00 Global Markets and the Critical Minerals Future

50:15 Building Public Trust & Industry Education

54:40 Collaboration Between Industry & Government

59:10 Looking Ahead: The Future of Minnesota Mining