MINExpo was back after a year off, and it was a huge success considering limitations because of the pandemic. The massive three-day event took place in Las Vegas, and ConEquip was there.
Once again, companies showcased the latest and greatest in mining equipment and technology.
Because of COVID travel restrictions, attendance was down from previous years, but the event was still well represented by hundreds of companies from around the world.
This year's focus was mining automation, electrification and digital transformation – all topics of an opening day panel moderated by A.B. Stoddard, associate editor and columnist with RealClearPolitics.
The discussion included representation from miners Barrick Gold (president and CEO Mark Bristow), CONSOL Energy (president and CEO Jimmy Brock) and Arch Resources (president and CEO Paul Lang), as well as the two largest mining equipment manufacturers Caterpillar (resource industries group president Denise Johnson) and Komatsu Mining (president and CEO Jeffrey Dawes).
Industry leaders say automation is greatly benefiting the industry but now data analytics is an area that needs improvements.
Another challenge the mining industry is facing, according to many companies, is the ability to get younger leaders into the workforce.
“We’ve got to get to the front of the queue and get those really smart young people into our businesses so we can build those platforms that will give us the necessary information so can make the innovative breakthroughs that we need to make," said Paul Lang, President of Arch Resources.
ConEquip Parts was thrilled to be part of the experience with co-owners Ben Krentz and Al Alexander heading out to Vegas for the event.
"The MINExpo was huge, no pun intended," said Alexander.
"It was amazing to see the size of equipment we have been providing parts for for years and getting to climb up in these giants was surreal."
The event was cancelled last year because of COVID. This year, event organizers did what they could to make the expo as safe as possible.
"The people there were required to wear masks but everyone still were shaking hands. Attendance was down by 60% but we still met a lot of cool companies that are niche in the mining industry," said Alexander.
ConEquip provides parts for mining machines. Whether you own a giant or a mini excavator, call ConEquip if you need to get back up and working again.
