Northwest Mining Association Annual Meeting Should Generate Some Sparks

The Northwest Mining Association (NWMA) Annual Meeting and Exposition is being held this week (Dec. 2-6) in Sparks, Nevada.   The meeting is the second largest annual mining convention in the U.S., and has been held every year since 1895. I asked Steve, our local sales representative, what he thought of the show, and he said he was looking forward to seeing old friends and many of the more than 2,500 people who will be attending from all over the world. He considers it a great show because it is ground zero for junior exploration companies to display, explain, and pitch their projects to the world.  On previous occasions he felt their passion, “filled  with dreams and reality mixing into an enthusiastic brew.” Steve especially enjoys watching the geologists gather to blend science with experience, art and intuition, to discover unseen commodities such as gold, silver, copper and even barium. The convention consists of short courses, technical, legislative and policy sessions, and a 250 booth trade exposition.  Here’s a link to the registration brochure that outlines and describes the different courses.  The sessions emphasize mineral deposits, exploration and development, operations, business and finance, environmental technology, regulation and policy and legislative affairs.  Sandwich lunches are served in the exhibit hall so attendees can feel free to chat with booth personnel between bites. Thermo Fisher Scientific will be in booth 213 demonstrating how portable XRF mining analyzers can be used throughout all stages of the mining and exploration process.  Samples are welcomed so visitors can see how rocks and minerals can be analyzed in seconds, including analyzing a vein. If you have a few days extra, explore the beautiful scenery of the Lake Tahoe region and the buzzing night life at the local Casino Resorts.  Lake Tahoe, where California and Nevada meet, is just about 45 minutes from the venue, John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort, and boasts plenty of winter recreational activities. For dining, though, try the Sky Terrace Sushi Bar at the Atlantis in Reno.  It is outstanding, and you can enjoy the quality all-you-can-eat sushi while dining in a glass bridge overlooking South Virginia Street. NWMA is a “non-profit, non-partisan trade association based in Spokane, Washington, and its members reside in 42 states and are actively involved in prospecting, exploring, and mining.” Their diverse membership includes every facet of the mining industry and represents a true cross-section of the American mining community from small miners and exploration geologists to both junior and large mining companies. If you are at the show this week, stop by and say hello to Steve in booth 213.  And don’t forget to bring your rock samples, but don’t weigh down your luggage too much.