top-tier solutions for the mining, power generating, oil and gas, and bulk material handling industries, RAM Enterprise delivers quality products and services that improve operational efficiency. Laila Miguel, Vice President and CFO, tells us more about her experience in the sector and the company’s outlook toward an expansive future.
NOT JUST READY – RAM READY
Mining is changing fast. Automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability are transforming the landscape. What used to be a boots-on-the-ground industry is becoming smarter and safer. It’s exciting to see how innovation is not just improving efficiency but also reshaping how we think about people, safety, and long-term impact.”
RAM Enterprise (RAM), based in Nevada, is embracing this change head-on, exemplified by the determined words of Laila Miguel, Vice President and CFO.
Specifically, the US mining market is seeing renewed momentum, driven by surging demand for critical minerals like copper, silver, and rare earth elements – all essential for electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, and national security.
At the same time, domestic policy is shifting to support US-based mining, with faster permitting processes and government-backed investments reducing reliance on imports. Add to that global supply constraints, and it’s easy to see why US mining is experiencing one of its most active growth phases in decades.
“In many ways, we’re standing right at the intersection of technology and tradition – taking decades of hands-on experience and combining this with smart, data-driven innovation,” insights Miguel.
“For these and other reasons, working in mining right now is exciting. The trajectory isn’t just upwards, it’s forward, smarter, and more meaningful than ever.”
For Miguel, her journey into mining wasn’t a traditional one. Having started out working in the food and beverage industry, she didn’t consider mining until she became a parent and realized the need for stability and support for her family.
With her father suggesting accounting, she took the leap and went back to school, eventually landing a job at RAM and working her way from accounting clerk to Vice President and CFO.
“Along the way, I was fortunate to have incredible mentors who believed in me, opened doors, and helped me find my confidence in a male-dominated industry. Their support gave me not just opportunities, but also a sense of purpose – to prove diverse perspectives make our teams and industry stronger,” asserts Miguel.
“Ultimately, mining found me, and I’ve stayed because I believe in the people and the purpose behind what we do.”
THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND TRADITION
RAM currently operates out of six locations, from West Texas all the way up to Alaska, and will be celebrating its 35th anniversary in February 2026 – a milestone the company is immensely proud of.
“Over the years, we have expanded beyond the US and have completed works in Mongolia, Brazil, Mauritania, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, supporting mining operations and industrial clients with the same commitment to safety, quality, and reliability that defines our domestic work,” expands Miguel.
This global experience has helped the company grow and strengthen its understanding of diverse mining environments and challenges.
RAM provides a one-stop shop of specialized industrial services, including conveyor belt splicing, coatings and linings, conveyor maintenance, fixed process equipment maintenance, electrical and fabrication services, and full turnkey industrial construction in surface and underground sectors.
It also manufactures and distributes high-quality rubber products to customers in the bulk material handling industry under its brand, Industry Mining Technology (IMTECH).
“We’ve built strong partnerships with manufacturers who share our values and commitment to excellence. Those relationships allow us to supply premium conveyor components and belt products that complement our field services, giving our customers complete, reliable solutions,” details Miguel.
RAM is especially proud of its safety record, having maintained a below-industry-average experience modification rate(EMR) of 0.62, recorded 3.2 million safe working hours, and recently celebrated seven years with no lost time incidents.
The company achieves this impressive record by believing in transparency, sharing information that helps avoid issues, and making sure every decision prioritizes safe, effective work. This is part of who RAM is, and something every person in the company takes personally.
“RAM is built on integrity, accountability, and responsiveness. We care deeply about our people, and that shows. Many of our team members have been with us for years – even decades. When you walk into any of our facilities, you can feel the loyalty, pride, and sense of family,” impassions Miguel.
At the heart of it all, RAM exists to provide an opportunity for its employees to live their fullest lives. This purpose drives every decision made – from safety and training to innovation and growth.
“When our people thrive, our customers and company thrive. That’s what has carried us through more than three decades of success – and what will continue to shape our future,” dictates Miguel.
“In many ways, we’re standing right at the intersection of technology and tradition – taking decades of hands-on experience and combining this with smart, data-driven innovation”
Laila Miguel, Vice President and CFO, RAM Enterprise
GET SMOOTH AND GO FAST
RAM’s 2025 thematic goal, ‘get smooth and go fast’, captures the company’s goals.
“We’ve built a strong foundation, and now it’s about refining how we work so we can move faster, smarter, and with more alignment across every part of the business,” informs Miguel.
‘Get smooth’ is about eliminating friction by simplifying processes, reducing redundancies, and making sure the company’s systems, people, and information flow together seamlessly. The goal is for RAM’s people to spend less time chasing data and more time creating value.
Once bottlenecks are identified, handoffs are streamlined, and communications are strengthened to deliver results faster and with less rework. Then, ‘go fast’ is implemented – meaning things can move quickly, confidently, and collaboratively.
“When we talk about this theme, it’s not just about efficiency or speed – it’s about building a company that operates with clarity, trust, and purpose. We’re creating the systems, structure, and leadership strength to support sustainable, long-term success,” explains Miguel.
The subsequent results of these efforts can be seen in some of RAM’s most recent projects, including the continued growth of its manufacturing division. The company recently installed a large press that allows it to produce custom molded rubber products up to eight inches thick.
This capability expands what the company can do for its customers, especially in creating heavy-duty, high-performance products that stand up to the toughest mining conditions.
Equally, a patent is pending on the RAM EZ-S-Cape cans for underground mining, which are designed and fabricated in the US and engineered to make underground escapeways safer and more efficient – a great example of how innovation and safety go hand-in-hand.
This is alongside the company’s mine restart projects, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) conveyor installation projects, and harnessing automation, AI, and Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
“Whether it’s new manufacturing capabilities, patented safety innovations, or integrating AI and smart systems, everything we’re doing is aimed at one goal – helping our customers operate at their best while continuing to push the industry forward,” asserts Miguel.
“RAM is built on integrity, accountability, and responsiveness. We care deeply about our people, and that shows. Many of our team members have been with us for years – even decades. When you walk into any of our facilities, you can feel the loyalty, pride, and sense of family”
Laila Miguel, Vice President and CFO, RAM Enterprise
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
For Miguel, empowering women in the mining industry is something that’s close to her heart.
“When I started out, there weren’t a lot of women in this space and even fewer in leadership roles. I had some incredible mentors who believed in me and opened doors that might’ve otherwise stayed closed. Now, I feel a responsibility to keep those doors open for others,” she details.
RAM works hard to ensure women feel supported, valued, and seen as who they are – leaders, mentors, experts, and innovators. The company has women across the organization in key roles and is intentional about creating pathways for growth.
It’s about creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender or background, feels empowered to contribute and challenge ideas. That kind of psychological safety is what drives innovation and collaboration.
For the company, representation matters. When women see other women succeeding in technical and leadership roles, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves.
“Ultimately, my goal – and RAM’s goal – is to normalize the presence of women in mining. I don’t want it to be a headline that a woman is in a leadership role; I want it to be the norm. We’re bridging that gap by showing that capability, resilience, and heart have no gender, creating a culture where everyone can thrive,” states Miguel.
Equally, RAM celebrates all of its employees and believes the ideal team player is humble, hungry, and smart. Humble enough to put the team first, hungry enough to go the extra mile, and smart enough to navigate relationships and communicate well.
Empowerment at the company starts with trust and transparency. It gives people the context and clarity to make decisions and take ownership of their work. RAM also celebrates the people who go above and beyond through its Employee of the Month program and Safe People Always Determine Excellence (SPADE) program, a way to acknowledge employees for exceptional teamwork and effort.
“At the end of the day, our goal is to create an environment where people feel empowered to make a difference, appreciated for what they contribute, and connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s what makes RAM such a special place to work – everyone here genuinely cares about doing great work and about each other,” Miguel passionately concludes.
