Revolutionizing Air Purification in Coal Mines with Brandon Hives

Revolutionizing Air Purification in Coal Mines with Brandon Hives

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All right. Welcome back to the Daily Mastermind, George Wright III with your daily dose of inspiration, motivation, and education. We got a special edition today because we have an authority formula. A podcast interview that we're also putting over into our Daily Mastermind because I feel like we've got an individual here that's pretty passionate about what he's doing.

He's definitely got an innovative product and he's got a mindset for business and creating a result. And we're happy to have him here with us today. Brandon Hives. How are you, man?

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Brandon Hives' Background and Journey

So listen man, you're a coal miner, an inventor, a father of five. You've got a revolutionary new product, which is really geared around your passion for helping with air purification for miners. So you've got this background and you've partnered with West Virginia University and Francis Manufacturing, all kinds of different individuals on this thing.

But I want to talk about this passion you have right now. So can you give us a little bit of your background? Like where are you from? What's your background in this whole coal miner industry?

I'm born and raised from Newsom Beach, Florida. I came to Morgantown, West Virginia around 2005 to play football at Fairmont State University. And after I finished school, I got into the coal mine industry around 2011. That’s my journey into the coal mine industry.

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Challenges in the Coal Mining Industry

So it's interesting because the coal mining industry, I think a lot of people are disconnected from that. Obviously not if you're in West Virginia. But this is exactly what we're talking about. This is mining coal and there's all kinds of health complications and things associated with it, but it's one of those things where like most of us, our lives wouldn't move forward without it. So what made you decide to do that? Was it like, look, I gotta get a job and support my family and how long have you been doing that?

Exactly. I got married to the mother of my children, and we started having kids. She told me I needed a better job. So I thought, what job can make me money? Then my friend, who worked in the coal mine industry and played football with me, drove up to my house in a nice vehicle. He showed me a pay stub, and I was like, you make that type of money? Then I got into it.

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Health Risks and Personal Experiences

Isn't it crazy though how a lot of people do things that don't necessarily contribute to what they want to do long term? Maybe they do it for the money, maybe for their family, for whatever reasons. But it's interesting to me how this can pivot you into an area you are passionate about. You had a lot of experience in this, and some experiences even recently that involved health complications and issues from coal mining. Talk to me a little bit about that and why this kind of created a little bit of a passion for you. What are some of the things that you've experienced in that coal mining industry?

In my experiences personally, I’ve had a lot of near misses. I’ve been in a couple of roof collapses as a boater, and I’ve been in a couple of pinch points that could have taken my life. Many of my coworkers have gone through serious health issues when they retired. I’ve seen older gentlemen in their sixties, and you hear stories where a great man retires and then within six months to a year he dies, or he’s on breathing machines because of black lung disease. It was terrifying and heartbreaking to me. Then I thought, I have five children. If I don’t do something and make a change, then that could be me in the near future.

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Identifying the Problem and the Spark of Innovation

It’s wild because there are a lot of people right now doing something they don’t love. In fact, it might even be harmful for them, their family, or their future, but they’re doing it because they don’t feel like they have a choice. Like a lot of the coal miners in this industry. But here you are — rather than being overcome by your circumstances, you took that as an opportunity to pivot into an area that created opportunity, but more importantly, solved a problem. What was that problem you were trying to solve?

The problem was air quality. When you mine coal, we have an old way of ventilating the face by using tubes, and this process can be continuous and strenuous. One worker has to run back, grab the tube, run back to the face, and hang it up. That can be very tiring. And even then, the air quality is still poor. So making a device that ventilates at the face was a no-brainer to me. I felt like—why hasn’t anyone thought about this before? Why doesn’t it exist? When I realized it didn’t exist, I decided to create it.

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The Birth of an Entrepreneurial Spirit

We’re gonna get into that here in a minute, but do you think you’ve always just been someone that’s entrepreneurial and innovative, someone who looks for ideas? Or was this a true problem in your life that you just felt pressed to find an answer for?

That’s a good question. I didn’t have that entrepreneurship mindset at first. My whole dream when I was younger was just to play football. Then I had a severe injury that changed my life. After I got married, I was scared to go into the coal mining industry, but I fell in love with it. After three or four years, I realized I really loved it and I was actually good at it.

My coworkers respected my work ethic and put me in positions of trust. And honestly, I have the whole coal mining community supporting me now. They want this machine because they feel it can change lives. They want it. They want to mine with it. They’re excited just like I am.

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The Invention: Tackling Air Quality with Innovation

Tell me what this invention is that you came up with and what it does.

So I came up with the first AI-automated continuous monitoring machine that neutralizes methane gas and coal dust right at the source. As coal is being cut, this system vents and captures the coal dust, moving it through a multi-stage air purification system that cleans it before releasing purified air. The AI technology provides self-wear and self-monitoring capabilities, alerting workers when it’s time to change the filters. At the back of the monitor, only clean air is released—meaning no more standing in contaminants while working.

Man, what a novel idea. And not only that, but even just two, three, or five years ago, this wouldn’t have been possible. It’s interesting how timing plays such a big role in success. Wouldn’t you agree?

Yes, I agree. Timing is everything, and this moment is exactly when something like this is needed most.

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From Dream to Reality

You mentioned earlier that in 2016 investments into healthcare for miners started to dry up. We know the statistics: miners retiring and dying within six months, or being forced onto oxygen machines. That’s heartbreaking. But what finally got you to do this? Were you just sitting at home one night and decided you wanted to build it? What motivated you to move from idea to invention, especially since you’re not an electrical engineer? How did you even start?

That’s a good question. Honestly, it started with a thought. One day at work, I asked myself out loud why no one had ever solved this. Later, it came to me in a dream. God gave me the vision, and it played in my mind like a movie for an entire week. I couldn’t shake it. So I started investigating, studying, and sketching out the concept on paper—writing down every detail of how it could work.

At work, I’d ask my maintenance and electrical coworkers what they thought. Without realizing it, they were helping me shape the design. When it reached the point of being ready for a patent, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: I left the coal mining industry to pursue this dream full time.

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Lessons in Vision and Faith

There are so many lessons in that story. It all starts with a vision. I love that Napoleon Hill quote: “What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” You got your vision crystal clear, then sought out help. Most people stop at that point—they don’t believe in themselves. But you kept moving forward.

Exactly. For me, it was about faith first. I believed in God, and then I believed in myself. I knew that if I kept pushing and seeking wisdom, doors would open. And they did.

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Partnerships and Support

You’ve now committed fully to this vision. You’ve walked away from the coal mines to pursue it. Tell us, what partnerships and resources have you been able to line up so far? Where are you at in this process?

So right now, we’ve built partnerships with Marshall University, WVU University, and the Small Business Association of West Virginia. I’ve also connected with CEO coaches like Brian Blair and Vince Camino, who’ve been mentoring and guiding me along the way. These relationships have been absolutely invaluable.

I can’t overstate how grateful I am for the support system that’s formed around this project. It feels like divine alignment. And it all goes back to what you said earlier—faith first, then belief in yourself. Once I made that leap, people started showing up. They saw the vision, believed in it, and wanted to be part of it.

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Faith, Belief, and the Message Behind the Message

I love that. You believed in God first, then in yourself. And you made the decision to keep moving forward. Faith is powerful because you don’t have to see the result—you just decide to believe. Belief often follows evidence, but faith can move you into action long before that. And that’s exactly what you did.

Absolutely. For me, faith was the starting point. As long as I kept my vision clear, prayed for wisdom, and sought out guidance, the pieces began to fall into place.

And that’s the real message here for our listeners. It doesn’t matter what your circumstances look like. You might be in an industry that feels outdated or even harmful, but if you stay open to ideas and solutions, you can pivot into something that not only changes your own life but solves problems for countless others. That’s exactly what you’ve done, Brandon.

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The Role of Mentorship and AI

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or an engineer anymore to create real solutions. We’re living in a world where AI technology and partnerships with mentors, coaches, and institutions can fill the gaps. That’s another major lesson in your story—leveraging resources. Do you feel that’s been a big part of making this real?

Absolutely. If it weren’t for those connections and people believing in the vision, this wouldn’t have gone anywhere. You can see something clearly in your own mind, but until others see it with you, it’s hard to bring it to life. Having these incredible men and women say, “You’ve got something investable, we can believe in you, we’ll stand with you,” has been humbling. I wake up every day and have to pinch myself—it’s that surreal.

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Patent Success and Prototype Development

And you’ve even locked down patents for this invention, correct?

Yes. We’ve fully patented the machine with a utility patent — which is the highest level of patent protection available in the United States. And as we continue raising additional funding, my next step is to expand those protections globally. This will secure the invention not just here at home, but in coal, chemical, and energy industries around the world.

That’s an amazing milestone. And now you’re in the process of building your prototype while also seeking investors, correct? That’s a whole new world to step into, especially coming from the coal mining industry.

Exactly. It’s been one of the biggest learning curves of my life, but it’s also been one of the most rewarding. I went from simply imagining this solution, to writing it down, to sketching it out, to talking with engineers, and now to presenting a working prototype. And of course, securing investors is a whole different skill set. But that’s the beauty of it—you don’t have to have every answer, you just need vision and persistence.

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Vision for the Future

That’s powerful. You’re stepping outside of your comfort zone, being pulled by vision rather than being held back by circumstance. So tell us, what’s the vision? Where is this going?

My vision is to bring this invention into full production and show the world that it works. First in coal mining, then in industries like chemical plants and power plants. Beyond that, we already have designs that target air purification in homes and other hazardous environments. This isn’t just about miners—it’s about global health.

But I also see this innovation as a stepping stone to something even greater. Since 2016, when lifetime healthcare benefits were cut for coal miners, I’ve felt a strong calling to step into leadership and advocacy. One day, I hope to run for office and work to restore those benefits. Coal miners are essential to America’s economy, and they deserve to be supported long after their years underground.

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Advice and Final Thoughts

Before we wrap up, let me ask you this. What advice would you give to someone who’s stuck in their circumstances right now—maybe they want to create something, make an impact, but they don’t know how to begin?

My first advice is simple: give your life to God. From there, write down a vision. The Bible says, “A man with no vision will perish.” You’ve got to create a clear vision and then execute on it. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, who can help you bring that vision to life. You can believe in yourself all you want, but if no one else believes with you, it’s hard to accomplish anything meaningful.

That’s a powerful blueprint. Clarity of vision, action, and the right circle of people—it doesn’t get any clearer than that.

Brandon, I appreciate you being here with us today. Your story is not just about inventing a product—it’s about having faith, creating solutions, and stepping into the life you’re meant to live.

To all of you listening, if this story has inspired you, share it. Connect with Brandon through his site, EvolutionaryMining.com. And let us know your thoughts—reach out on The Daily Mastermind across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

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Closing Message

Remember this—it’s never too late to start living the life you’re meant to live. But you’ve got to take action, you’ve got to get committed, and as this conversation has reminded us—you’ve got to align yourself with people and solutions that lift you higher. Until next time, have an amazing day.

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About George Wright III:

George Wright is a Proven, Successful Entrepreneur- and he knows how to inspire entrepreneurs, companies, and individuals to achieve Massive Results. With more than 20 years of Executive Management experience and 25 years of Direct Marketing and Sales experience, George is responsible for starting and building several successful multimillion-dollar companies. He started at a very young age to network and build his experience and knowledge of what it takes to become a driven and well-known entrepreneur. George built a multi-million-dollar seminar business, promoting some of the biggest stars and brands in the world. He has accelerated the success and cash flow in each of his ventures through his network of resources and results driven strategies. George is now dedicated to teaching and sharing his Prosperity Principles and Strategies to every Driven and Passionate Entrepreneur he meets. His mission is to Empower Entrepreneurs Globally to create Massive Change and LIVE their Ultimate Destiny.

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About the Guest: Brandon Hives

Brandon Hives is an inventor and entrepreneur dedicated to transforming underground mining safety through innovative technology like the Hivenator 1247 air purification system. He is passionate about protecting workers, creating economic opportunities, and driving sustainability in the mining industry.

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Guest Resources

Website: https://evolutionarymining.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandon.hives/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-hives-40b371349/

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