After being forced to postpone last year’s event because of COVID-19, MINExpo International 2021 officially began on Monday.
Consol Energy’s Jimmy Brock, chairman of the National Mining Association (NMA), Komatsu Mining’s Jeffrey Dawes, chairman of MINExpo International 2021, Mark Bristow, president and CEO of Barrick Gold Corp., and Gov. Steve Sisolak (D-Nevada) each spoke during the ceremonial ribbon cutting to open the show.
“The years of planning and organizing are now coming to fruition, and it’s going to be a wonderful three days, I’m sure,” Dawes says. “It’s been my honor to serve as chairman of MINExpo International 2021 during this time, and I’m thrilled to welcome the thousands of attendees we expect this week, as well as the 1,300 exhibitors, representing 30 countries, that have joined us here in Las Vegas.
“There is nothing like [MINExpo],” Dawes adds. “There are 10 football fields worth of exhibitors and truly cutting-edge equipment at this year’s show. It’s the people that make it so special. These are the people making mining safer, smarter and more efficient than ever before.”
According to Brock, 21,000 people from across the world registered to attend MINExpo 2021.
While introducing Sisolak, Dawes acknowledged the partnership between the governor, the state of Nevada and the mining industry within the state. Among Barrick Gold’s subsidiary operations is one within the state: Nevada Gold Mines.
“Nevada’s economy was hit hard [by the pandemic], perhaps, harder than any other state in the nation,” Bristow says. “But with your leadership, the hard work of your staff, the state agencies and the support from the business community, you were able to navigate the state and its people through the worst of these challenging times.
“We at Nevada Gold Mines were proud to partner with you and your state through these unprecedented times,” Bristow adds. “Whether through contributing to your COVID-19 task force, sharing our pandemic protocols that we have spent years fine-tuning in other parts of the world or keeping our mines running and people employed, therefore, supporting the Nevada economy when others couldn’t. After all, that’s what partners are for.”
Part of the reason Bristow says the partnership worked so well was because he says the governor knows mining and understands the importance and role mining plays in the state and worldwide.
“He understands that this industry is a true partner with his state,” Bristow says. “We contribute in a meaningful way, not just through our employees, but through our commitment and contribution to Nevada’s education system.”
Sisolak echoed Dawes’ comments and shared his excitement about being on-hand to open MINExpo. Sisolak also thanked Brock, Dawes and others at NMA for making MINExpo 2021 a reality.
“Brock, president and CEO Rich Nolan and Dawes [have] done a tremendous job in terms of organizing this and navigating the difficulties of a pandemic and the extra protocols and restrictions that have been put in place,” Sisolak says. “I also want to thank Tyre Gray, president of the Nevada Mining Association, who has been an integral part of making mining succeed in Nevada and making this show possible.”
