In Episode #232, Mining Minds sits down with Mia Crawford at the University of Arizona's San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory to explore the experiences shaping her future in mining.

Mia shares how her father's legacy inspired her to pursue mining engineering, the determination required to balance college with three jobs, and how hockey helped her develop the confidence and grit to succeed in a demanding industry.

Mia also takes listeners inside the Intercollegiate Mining Games, her internship experience with Capstone Copper, and her responsibilities as a student safety manager. Through honest conversations about leadership, mentorship, imposter syndrome, public misconceptions about mining, and her ambitious career goals, Mia represents a driven new generation ready to learn, lead, and carry the mining industry forward.

A BIG thank you to the University of Arizona's San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory, Scott Shields and the entire University of Arizona mining school for the incredibly warm welcome and for making this episode possible.

We look forward to future opportunities to highlight our mining schools, celebrate emerging talent and help build the future of mining—one story at a time.

Watch on YouTube- https://youtu.be/sMa2QfYhL9I

Episode Sponsors:

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

Safety First Training and Consulting

Walsh Exploration- Troy Hawkins

#MiningMinds #ThisIsMining #IntercollegiateMiningGames #WomenInMining #MiningEngineering #FutureOfMining #NextGenerationOfMining #MiningLeadership #MiningCareers #UniversityOfArizona

Podcast Chapters:

Opening- Mining, Responsibility and Everyday Minerals

01:00- Meet Mia Crawford

05:00- Mandarin, Hockey and an Unconventional Childhood

12:00- Turning Loss into Purpose

17:00- Three Jobs, College and High Expectations

23:00- The Intercollegiate Mining Games

25:00- Breaking into Mining at Capstone Copper

32:00- Hands-On Operations, Leadership and Mentorship

41:00- Big Goals, Imposter Syndrome and Personal Grit

59:00- Safety, Risk and the Next Generation