Mining the Future: People, Leadership, and Critical Minerals

In this episode of The Voice of Growth, Manny Teran sits down with Pat Risner, President of the Hermosa Project at South32, to explore what next-generation mining truly looks like.  This conversation goes far beyond extraction. Pat shares how Hermosa—located in Santa Cruz County, Arizona—represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink how industries create shared value across national security, sustainability, workforce development, and long-term community prosperity.  Key themes include:   Why the U.S. must onshore critical minerals like zinc and battery-grade manganese How automation, AI, and remote operations can increase safety and inclusion Designing mines with the end in mind—preparing communities to thrive long after resources are depleted Leadership lessons from 30+ years across global operations, health & safety, and environmental stewardship  Why, at the end of the day, it’s still all about people  This is a masterclass in trend-aligned leadership, systems thinking, and building institutions that outlast individuals.