#194- US Steel: Michael Bakk & Chrissy Bartovich
In this special episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down at U.S. Steel Minntac with Mike Bakk, Director of Facilities Excellence, and Crissy Bartovich, Senior Director of Environmental. From humble beginnings to leading major projects that shape the future of steelmaking, Mike and Crissy share their personal journeys, leadership lessons, and the innovations driving today’s mining industry.
We dive into the transformation of mining from “pick and shovel” to high-tech operations featuring AI, robotic dogs, and advanced reliability systems. Mike and Crissy sheds light on the critical role of environmental stewardship, community engagement, and the innovations needed to meet evolving regulations. Together, their stories highlight resilience, continuous improvement, and a legacy of mining that sustains families, communities, and industries for generations to come. Brass in to join the conversation!
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
Episode Chapters:
02:15 Mike’s early start and path into mining
07:50 Lessons from leadership at a young age
13:15 Managing crews and building respect
17:00 Career moves and new opportunities at Keetac
26:00 The $150M pellet upgrade project
29:00 Community pride and the impact of steelmaking
34:00 Robotics, AI, and mining’s digital future
38:00 Crissy’s journey into mining & environmental leadership
48:40 Compliance, community trust, and high standards
53:30 Community advisory panels & public transparency
59:30 Innovation in environmental solutions: crowdsourcing success
01:09:00 Opportunities at U.S. Steel and the future of mining
