Julie Lucas (left), executive director of MiningMinnesota, and Kristen Vake, executive director of Iron Mining Association (IMA) of Minnesota, are pictured in a shovel bucket at the Minnesota Museum of Mining in Chisholm. Photo by Jill Pepelnjak.

Starting a new job can be a mix of challenging and exciting. According to two local women—who have recently started their new jobs in the mining industry—a great group of people have been helpful in making the start of their new jobs successful.

“I’ve been in this role for a month and a half, and it has been a whirlwind!” Kristen Vake, executive director of the Iron Mining Association (IMA) of Minnesota, said of her new position. “Thankfully, I have a fantastic group of board members who have been helping me through the early stages of this role and I’ve received a lot of support from our members. I’m excited for what’s to come!”

“I started only a few weeks ago so at this point, it has been a delightful mix of meeting new people and making connections,” Julie Lucas, executive director of MiningMinnesota, said of the first weeks in her new position.

I had questions and wanted to learn more about these two young women, their thoughts about industry’s future, and their new roles in the mining industry, an industry once considered a man’s world. And Kristen and Julie graciously answered my questions.

After learning more about Kristen and Julie and recently bringing them together at the Minnesota Museum of Mining in Chisholm for pictures, I discovered why they find the mining industry—past and present— so fascinating. Read on for a glimpse into their world in mining.

What’s your background information and connection to mining?

Kristen: I grew up in Chisholm and mining has played a role in my family for years…from my great-grandpa Varda working at the Bruce Underground Mine in Chisholm to my Grandpa Varda working at Rhude & Fryberger and Hibbing Taconite, to my Grandpa Vake working at U.S. Steel’s Sherman Mine with his five brothers, to my dad working at Minntac for his entire career, and now one of my brothers works at United Taconite. It’s a long history between my family and mining and it’s one we’re proud of. It’s what inspired me to cover the industry while I was a reporter and anchor at CBS 3 in Duluth, and what moved me to take on the role of Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association.

Julie: I’m a “Ranger by Choice.” I grew up in the Barnum/Moose Lake area where the only mining is sand and gravel, and they have to make sure no one is sneaking in afterhours to pick agates.

When I moved to the Iron Range in 2002, it was a new world to me. I was teaching biology at Mesabi Range Community College and one week, as the beakers and flasks were clinking in the lab cabinets, I asked my students why no one seemed fazed by the weekly mini-earthquakes. They graciously pointed out that they weren’t earthquakes, just nearby blasting at the mines. Also, I probably shouldn’t admit how long it took me to realize what people were saying when they talked about Lake Ore-Be-Gone in Gilbert.

My only knowledge of mining prior to living on the Iron Range was shaped by the environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that I was a member of during my years as an undergraduate and graduate student. Frankly, my view of the industry was not positive. Thankfully, my Environmental Science students at Mesabi Range educated me in return on mining and helped me to gain an appreciation of the industry.

In late 2002, I joined the environmental consulting firm Northeast Technical Services (NTS) in Virginia, and I was placed into several projects supporting local mining companies with environmental permitting and compliance. It was in this role that my thoughts toward mining really began to shift, as the companies that I worked with were dedicated to doing it right and doing it better. It was a bit of a jolt to me because what I had previously felt about the mining industry before living up north was not lining up with the reality of what I was working on daily and I began to realize that there was more to the story.

In 2008, I jumped at the opportunity to work directly at a mining operation, and I joined the environmental team at Hibbing Taconite, stepping into the Environmental Manager role in 2011. I will forever be grateful to the folks at that facility for teaching me everything they could about mining and processing. Working at a 24/7/365-day operation in environmental management allowed me the chance to put my passion for environmental protection into action, collaborating with a team to figure out how we could best manage a facility of that size in a way that minimized our impact on the environment. This was all while still producing the taconite pellets that would eventually grow up to be the steel that helps to build our world with other products of mining.

After 13 years at HibTac, I wanted to learn more about the copper nickel industry and the process of establishing a new mining operation. I joined the Twin Metals Minnesota team as the Director of Water Resources where I was able to direct the water-related aspects of environmental review and develop a deep understanding of the surface and groundwater systems that are present within their project area. This was an incredible experience with a top-notch team, but unfortunately, when the Federal Government pulled the leases for Twin Metals and put a halt to the environmental review, there was a corresponding halt to the work to be done by someone in my position and it was time for me to make an exciting professional pivot.

On August 1, Frank Ongaro handed me the reins to MiningMinnesota, which was a considerable honor considering the impact Frank made in his years with this organization.

What was your first impression of the mining industry, Julie?

Julie: Having not grown up around mining, I was a bit stunned by the size of the operations on the Iron Range. Everything seemed so massive! One of my favorite things to do at HibTac was lead tour groups through the facility because I loved watching their faces as they also had their “holy cow, this equipment is massive and more complex than picks and shovels” moments.

What are some of your earliest memories of mining, Kristen?

Kristen: Some of my earliest memories of mining involve my dad waking up really early in the morning to go to work, and then coming home with iron ore on his boots. He worked at Minntac so we got to go to there for family days and we were always in awe of the big trucks and the big pits—but we definitely didn’t understand the magnitude of what we were looking at! I also remember feeling the mine blasts while sitting in school in Chisholm. To some, it might sound crazy to hear the school shook, but to us, it was normal. Looking back, that was pretty cool!

Why did you decide to look at and to accept the executive director position?

Kristen: As a reporter who covered mining, and as a kid who grew up in a household that relied on it, it has always been a passion of mine to explore the industry. When this opportunity came up to lead the Iron Mining Association, it seemed like the perfect fit. We’re going to be focusing on sharing stories of the industry, giving an inside look at how mining is done, and share the impact it has on our communities and those across the state and country. It was a perfect combination of my passions and another way for me to contribute to my home area.

Julie: My favorite days at work have always been the days where I was able to educate and show non-mining folks what mining today is about—not only the “what” we do, but also the “how” and most importantly, the “WHY.”

Unfortunately, there are currently too many folks who don’t understand or appreciate the work that is done to provide metals for our nation’s infrastructure, goods and a sustainable future. Rather than lament that gap in knowledge, I strive to fill it and give people that lightbulb moment where they see how our region is connected to the world beyond and how future responsible development of our copper-nickel deposits can allow us to be leaders in the next phase of energy generation and transportation.

What is your organization’s purpose and how is it designed to help the mining industry?

Kristen: The Iron Mining Association advocates for and supports the iron ore industry in several ways. Through education, legislation, community relations, and more, we’re here to promote growth and prosperity for the industry. Our members range from mining companies to suppliers and vendors to nonprofits and government entities to individuals who want to help support the industry.

Julie: MiningMinnesota is a collective voice for the copper-nickel industry. We pull together the exploration and development companies, as well as the supporting vendors, suppliers and contractors, on one team that is focused on moving our industry forward and into production in our great state.

What is your role with the Iron Mining Association? MiningMinnesota?

Kristen: My role is to lead the organization to achieve the goals our board puts in place. My job is to ensure that all aspects of the iron ore industry are represented and that we have a voice in important conversations.

Julie: My role is to be an ambassador for our industry, to educate the public and government officials, to advocate for a fair environmental review and permitting process, and to ensure that Minnesota is able to responsibly develop the critical minerals that are under our feet.

What do you hope to accomplish as executive director?

Kristen: My goal is to ensure that people across the state know the importance of iron mining, and that it is still going strong. In conversations I’ve had since starting this role, it’s clear that there are folks out there who don’t know mines are still operational, or they don’t understand what we mine, why we do it, and how it impacts them. That’s what I hope to change. It all starts with a conversation and I’m excited to be part of it.

Julie: Ultimately, success is our members’ projects permitted and in operation. On our way to that goal, I hope to continue to build a coalition of folks who recognize and support the incredible opportunity that our region has with this abundant natural resource. Minnesotans can be leaders in the fight against climate change with responsibly sourced metals, extracted with the needs of people, both as community members and workers, and the environment in the forefront.

What interests (or fascinates) you most about mining and your job?

Kristen: The scale and scope of this industry is massive. It’s not just about the mines themselves, but the thousands of vendors and suppliers. This industry contributes millions of dollars to students across the state each year, it supports nonprofits in our communities, and so much more. Mining is what brought many people to the Iron Range, and it’s what has kept generations of families here for so long.

Julie: The people. The general public sometimes has a skewed version of who a miner is and even I’ve been guilty of stereotyping my own colleagues. I will always remember the time I was talking to a mechanic in the “truck shop” about our weekend plans and he mentioned that he and his wife were going kayaking and I blurted out, “You kayak?!” We had a good laugh about it, but it was a good reminder that stereotypes may save time, but really aren’t good for anything else.

It always will amaze me how many people it takes to bring us the metals we have in our products and how many diverse skills and talents our nation’s workforce must have to bring those metals into the supply chain. I have learned so much from the people in our industry—the drillers and blasters, the project managers, the scientists, the equipment operators, the engineers, the mechanics…. It takes many hands and minds to bring our metals into our daily lives.

What interests me the most about my new job and our organization is also people. I am so excited to be able to meet and talk to people about what copper-nickel mining is and how important it is to support a fair environmental review and permitting process for these critical metals found in our backyard. When I talk to folks who are concerned or hesitant about our industry, it’s easy for me to understand and respect why they feel the way they do. It’s my job to listen and educate in a non-dismissive manner.

What is it like to be a young woman working in an industry that is often seen as a man’s world?

Kristen: It can certainly be intimidating at times to be a female in an industry that has historically been carried by men, but that is changing and I’m proud to be an example of that. Many of my mentors in mining are women and they have paved the way for us to follow our passions and pursue the work we want to do. It’s an exciting time with more women entering leadership roles in industries across the region!

Julie: It has been encouraging and I’m optimistic that we will continue to see an increase in the number of women in mining. I have been lucky to have many mentors and supportive coworkers throughout my years in this industry. In many ways, working in the mining industry has been liberating as superficial things (that can matter in other professions) don’t matter when you’re all wearing hard hats, safety glasses and steel-toed boots. PPE (personal protective equipment) and a shared focus are great equalizers.

It’s important to recognize the work of the women who came before our current generation and be grateful for their efforts in ensuring that women in my generation have a safe, healthy workplace (and not just in mining, but all workplaces).

Do you see mining as a complicated industry? How would you describe it?

Kristen: Mining is certainly technical and can be complicated to those who don’t work in the industry and see it firsthand. However, it’s impact is simple—without mining we wouldn’t have so much of what we use every single day, we wouldn’t have the jobs we have, and we wouldn’t have some of the most beautiful recreation areas. How it’s done might not make sense to some people, but why it’s done should make sense to everyone.

Julie: Mining is simultaneously the oldest, simple-to-grasp (extract minerals from rocks and use them to advance the human mission!) industry in the history of humans and one of the most future-focused, advanced industries (extract the metals needed to combat climate change with incredibly technical processes and equipment). The idea of taking the rocks beneath our feet and making use of them has been around forever, but the technological advances that allow that to be done in a safe, environmentally sound way are happening non-stop and the industry is progressing and improving every day.

What is the best place on the Range to get a look at and feel for mining?

Kristen: As a Chisholm native, I think the Redhead Mountain Bike trails are a fantastic way to get a glimpse into mining’s past and to see what reclamation can do for a community. It’s one of my favorite spots to hike—I highly recommend checking it out! If you’re wanting to see an active mine, I suggest the Hull Rust Mine View in Hibbing. It offers incredible views into Hibbing Taconite!

Julie: There are so many great places on the Range to get a sense of how mining has shaped our area—from the Redhead Mountain Bike Park to Lake Ore-Be-Gone to the Hibbing [Hull Rust] Mine View….

My request to folks, though, is to recognize that many of our recreation areas that we enjoy currently on the Iron Range were created prior to environmental regulations. What you see today is not representative of what you would see if those operations had been permitted and operating under today’s regulations. Reclamation requirements have evolved over time as have engineering and operating best practices and the industry continues to improve and minimize its footprint.

What do you see as the future for mining here?

Kristen: Mining on the Iron Range has gone through many changes throughout its lifespan, and I think that will continue to happen. Technology is advancing, sustainability is a priority, and investments in the region continue to keep it all going. I believe there’s a bright future ahead for the industry and we’re here to help it prosper.

Julie: I’m a lifelong Minnesotan, and one of the things I’ve always appreciated about growing up and living here is our naturally progressive nature and corresponding attention to labor and environmental issues. Minnesotans treasure their natural resources. We recognize the great responsibility that we have to protect those resources and minimize our impact on them while we simultaneously harvest the metals that will build the renewable energy infrastructure to combat climate change.

Mining in 2022 and beyond requires commitment to those environmental values. I believe Minnesotans are able to meet that challenge.

When you are not on the job, what do you do for fun?

Kristen: When I’m not working, I spend a lot of time outdoors with family, friends, and my dog Louie. Our happy place is at the lake, and I feel so fortunate to have access to the most beautiful waters to enjoy during the summer months!

Julie: In line with our professions, my husband Matt, a Local 2705 steelworker, and I “own” an adorably mischievous cat named Rocky. Outside of work, I fill my time with community interests. I’m a French Township Supervisor and I serve on the Boards of Directors for the United Way of NE Minnesota as well as the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS). I also love getting out in the woods or on the water, hiking, snowshoeing or kayaking, depending on the season!

Is there anything you want to add about yourself, your position, your life on the Range?

Kristen: The Iron Range is my home and I’m incredibly proud of where I’m from. I’m excited to give people a glimpse into what it’s like to work, play, and live in a mining area—because it’s incredible! There are a lot of misperceptions about iron mining, how it’s done, and why it’s important, and I look forward to having those conversations. Ev- erybody has a story to tell, and I’m honored to be the one to tell the story of an industry that does so much for so many people.

Julie: When I first moved to the Range in 2002, it was for a temporary, six-month teaching job at the college. I assumed I would move back to Duluth and create my adult life there. However, thankfully, that didn’t happen and I have been lucky enough to be welcomed into the Iron Range community with open arms (my husband likes to remind me that he is an official Iron Ranger though!).

If you were to tell me 20 years ago that someday I would be in a role like this, I wouldn’t have believed you. I didn’t understand at that time how environmental protection and mining can coexist. My assumptions about this industry were wrong. I am grateful for the folks within the community and mining industry, including a former student of mine who is now a state representative, for the patience and education that allowed me to be here today in this role.

Kristen, is the IMA office moving from Duluth to a location on the Range?

Kristen: In our 30th year, we are excited to move the IMA office to the Iron Range. This is where our producers and many of our supplier and vendor members are located. Our focus is the iron ore industry and what better place to do our work then in the area where it all began and continues to be!

We are still working on securing a location— more to come on that.

The public can contact Kristen Vake at kvake@taconite.org and Julie Lucas at julie.lucas@miningminnesota.com.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

401 6th Avenue North, Suite 1111 Virginia, MN 55792

Phone: 218.741.0106 Fax: 218.741.0108 Email: customerservice@htfnews.us

Receive notice each time a new edition is posted online, along with periodic features and updates from Hometown Focus!

Our Hometown DMCA Notices Newspaper web site content management software and services

Hometown Focus is a community newspaper located in Virginia, Minnesota.

Hometown Focus | 401 6th Avenue North, Suite 1111 | Virginia, MN 55792 | Phone: 218.741.0106 | Fax: 218.741.0108