We close out 2025 with a special episode recorded live from the Glizzy Golf Tournament at the Elko Municipal Golf Course — a one-of-a-kind event that continues to bring the mining industry together in the most authentic way possible.

This episode is a fast-paced, round-table style snapshot of the people who make mining what it is. From engineers, geotechnical and environmental professionals, surveyors, metallurgists, and processing leaders, to first-generation miners and seasoned veterans — Glizzy Golf is where backgrounds, disciplines, and companies collide on common ground.

With over 60 participants and a growing mix of returning players and first-timers, this tournament has become a true reflection of the mining community — collaborative, competitive, welcoming, and built on shared respect.

As we wrap up the final episode of 2025, this one stands as a testament to why Mining Minds exists: to tell the stories of the people behind the industry and highlight the connections that keep it moving forward.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this year.
Here's to 2026, more conversations, and another year of growing the Mining Minds community.

Happy New Year — and stay safe.

Chapters:

1:33 – 7:42 James Macpherson & Josh Hayes

7:46 – 20:43 Logan Connolly

20:47 – 26:30 Justin Samardzic

26:33 – 33:19 Jake Oakley

33:23 – 39:49 Rolo Rodriguez

39:53 – 57:35 Lauren Shyluk

57:39 – 1:02:29 Vince Quintero

1:02:33 – 1:13:21 Samantha McCleary

Before the citations. Before the regulations. Before the arguments—there's people.

In the first-ever Safe Word segment of Mining Minds, Grover sits down with longtime mentor, former MSHA inspector, and no-nonsense safety professional Jim Hoover to have the conversations most safety meetings never do. This episode strips away the myths, the fear, and the finger-pointing around mining safety and replaces them with something better: honesty, experience, and critical thinking.

They break down what MSHA actually does (and doesn't do), why citations aren't cash grabs, and how perception, personality, and human judgment shape every inspection. From the difference between being compliant and being truly safe, to why asking why matters more than memorizing the 30 CFR, this episode is about understanding safety—not weaponizing it.

You'll hear real stories from the pit and the inspector's side, hard lessons learned early in a career, and why building relationships—rather than hiding when inspectors show up—can make operations safer for everyone.

Brass in—join the conversation and be a part of The Safe Word.

Chapters:

01:50 Why This Safety Conversation Started
02:41 Opinion, Experience, and Inviting Disagreement
07:52 Mining Safety Myths: Do Inspectors Get Paid for Citations?
10:55 The Human Element of Inspections
13:26 Understanding the 30 CFR and Asking "Why"
17:48 Real-World Example
22:34 Regional Differences and Interpretation of Standards
29:05 Inspectors as a Resource, Not the Enemy
35:32 Recognizing Good Work and Building Safety Culture

Join Mining Minds from the 2025 Mine Safety & Health Conference as we sit down with Don Neff, Security Manager and longtime Nevadan. Don shares his journey from growing up in Elko County to serving in the Air Force's photo-recon field, working as a Nevada Highway Patrol officer, and ultimately finding his place in mining safety.

Drawing on decades of experience, Don talks about reading people, leading through influence, and navigating the impact of emerging technology, autonomy, and AI on mine safety. He breaks down the importance of true partnerships—especially in contractor management—and the need for meaningful engagement, strong systems, and asking the right "what if" questions. Please help us welcome Don Neff to the Face!

Thank you to the Mine Safety & Health Conference for providing us the opportunity to participate in this event.

Event Sponsor:

Safety First Training and Consulting

Episode Sponsors:

Safety First Training and Consulting

JSR Fleet Performance

Liebherr Mining

Chapters:

00:45 Growing Up Nevada

01:40 High School, Sports, and Early Ambitions

02:30 Joining the Air Force & Seeing the World

05:45 Culture Shock Abroad

07:40 Returning Home & Working for Nevada Highway Patrol

09:00 Policing During Nevada's Mining Boom

12:30 From Law Enforcement to Mining Safety

14:45 Technology, Autonomy & Safety Skepticism

18:40 Regulation Gaps & Challenges with MSHA

25:00 Leading Indicators, Engagement & Safety Culture

31:00 Contractor Management & True Partnerships

35:45 Moving Into Security

39:30 Mentorship, Leadership & Final Thoughts