#195- IRRR & IMA: Ida Rukavina & Kristen Vake
What does pride, legacy, and the future of mining look like on Minnesota’s Iron Range? In this episode, we sit down with Ida Rukavinia, Commissioner of the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, and Kristen Vake, Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, to dig deep into the history, culture, and future of mining in northern Minnesota.
From immigrant roots and unions that shaped entire communities, to today’s challenges of permitting, workforce development, and the global demand for critical minerals—Ida and Kristen share candid insights about what it means to grow up in a mining family, how mining tax dollars are reinvested back into schools and communities, and why educating the next generation is more important than ever.
Whether you’re rooted in the Iron Range or just discovering its story, this episode will remind you why mining is more than an industry—it’s a lifeline for communities, a driver of innovation, and a proud tradition carried forward by people like Ida and Kristen who refuse to quit.
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
Gold West Fire and Safety Services
Episode Chapters:
05:40 The Legacy of the Iron Range
13:05 From Past Struggles to Present Opportunities
17:30 Ida’s Journey to Commissioner
26:10 Mining Tax Dollars and Community Reinvestment
41:00 Global Markets and the Critical Minerals Future
50:15 Building Public Trust & Industry Education
54:40 Collaboration Between Industry & Government
59:10 Looking Ahead: The Future of Minnesota Mining
