# 273: The Only Podcast Ever Recorded in an Open-Pit Mine featuring Imerys' Ken Rasmussen

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2026-02-03
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Ken Rasmussen, Operations Director at Imerys, explains how the company mines and processes diatomaceous earth at its Lompoc, California facility, the world's largest diatomite mine. He details the material's critical role in high-purity filtration for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and beverages, as well as its use as a filler in paints and plastics. Rasmussen discusses the site's century-long history, its integration with the local community, and how automation from partners like Royal Wholesale and Cyclone Air has improved process efficiency and purity control.

## Chapters

- [1:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm#t=107) Introduction: Imerys Lompoc Mine and Diatomaceous Earth
- [5:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm#t=315) Diatomaceous Earth: Composition and Medical Applications
- [7:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm#t=427) History of the Mine and Community Impact
- [10:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm#t=608) End-to-End Processing: From Mining to Filtration
- [15:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm#t=928) Automation and Process Control Innovations
- [20:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm#t=1251) Safety Culture and Community Relations
- [23:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm#t=1392) Future Outlook and Industry Education

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Imerys (company)
- Royal Wholesale (company)
- Cyclone Air (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Johns Manville (company)
- Air Force Base (other)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-03-273-the-only-podcast-ever-recorded-in-an-open-pit-mine-featuring-imerys-ken-rasm. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Manufacturing Happy Hour.