From the Editor - Mining Safely and Profitably Requires Intuition and Technical Expertise

- As this edition goes to press, Mining Media’s publishing team, editors and mining writers are traveling from Las Vegas back to their respective locations around the globe. Most of the mining and processing professionals fortunate enough to attend MINExpo 2008 would agree that it lived up to all expectations. The event was billed as the world’s largest mining exposition by its organizer, the National Mining Association (NMA), the U.S. mining industry’s Washington, D.C.-based trade group. With more than 41,000 in total attendance, no one could dispute that claim.

MINExpo opened with several mining dignitaries cutting a ribbon Monday morning (September 26, 2008), including among others Hal Quinn, the NMA’s new CEO; Gary Goldberg, president and CEO, Rio Tinto Minerals and NMA’s new chairman; and Tim Sullivan, CEO, Bucyrus and MINExpo chairman. Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons presided over the occasion. Despite the fact that this is an election year, he was the only U.S. politician brave enough to stand and be counted with the U.S. mining business. Goldberg welcomed the attendees from the U.S. and delegates from 16 foreign countries to “the biggest mining show on Earth.” From the opening to the closing bell, the show floor was crowded and the mood was very upbeat.

In the November edition, E&MJ will provide a full MINExpo wrap-up. While we would rather not bore readers with the history of MINExpo, suffice it to say that this was by far the best. What made it the best depends on one’s perspective. It could be the fact that the mining industry has been on a roll for the last four years. It could also be the fact that many of the vendors had major announcements to make regarding new equipment and technology. Maybe it was the chance to associate with peers or make new contacts. It was probably a combination of all of the above along with the allure and entertainment that can only take place in Las Vegas.

MINExpo was a day shorter this year, which meant only two nights for entertainment. E&MJ’s editors attended press conferences by day and sampled the local flavor in the evening. On the opening night, many of the vendors hosted hospitality suites. Bridgestone’s Playboy Club party at the Palms was very popular. Bilingual bunnies dealt blackjack to unsuspecting gold miners from Peru, while party-goers sampled the host’s Sushi spread with the lights of Vegas unfolding below their feet.

The hottest ticket in town, however, was the Bucyrus Evening of Unchained Hearts with Joe Cocker. Bucyrus rented the House of Blues during the second night of MINExpo and Cocker performed live for about 700 people. The host served a heaping helping of American soul food, while blues musicians entertained the crowd. A confident, yet relaxed Tim Sullivan walked onto the stage, welcomed guests, and introduced Cocker, who immediately belted out several hits, Unchain My Heart, Leave Your Hat On, etc., before covering great tunes, such as With a Little Help from My Friends and When the Night Comes. Not only did Cocker pronounce the Bucyrus name correctly, but the energy with which he performed defied his age. One could easily draw a lot of parallels between Cocker’s performance, many of the companies exhibiting at MINExpo 2008 and today’s mining industry and its achievements.


Steve Fiscor, Editor-in-Chief, E&MJ

As featured in Womp 08 Vol 8 - www.womp-int.com