MINExpo: The World's Coolest Trade Show?

Alexander Rose from the Long Now Foundation recently returned from what may be the world's most amazing trade show: The Mine Expo International 2008, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. For anyone who's a fan of giant dump trucks, esoteric drilling machines, and industrial explosives — us! us! us! — this confab for professionals in the mining and mineral-extraction industries looks like a definite must-see.

  Alex writes:

Earlier in September the Millennium Clock design team had an all hands meeting at the Las Vegas Mining Expo . It is only held once every 4 years as it is so difficult and expensive for the companies to bring their machinery there.  Since we are planning on using a combination of mining and quarrying techniques (as well as inventing some new rock removal methods), it seemed like a good opportunity to see the state of the mining industry.  In addition Greg Baiden, our mining engineer, was showing his latest robotic scoop truck at the show that uses light pulses to transmit video and data.  My three main take aways from the event:

1. We all agreed that it was hands down the coolest trade show any of us have EVER attended.  Sign up now for the next one in 02012 and give yourself two days to see it all.
2. It is amazing to me that - with the exception of Greg’s stuff - that there was basically no robotics on display there.  This is bizarre for an industry that has huge labor costs and the most dangerous work environment in the world.
3. The machines we build to extract metals and minerals from the earth are the most terrifying machines in the world.

No word on what kind of conference schwag Alex scooped up during his visit, but we can only assume it was vastly more interesting than the usual LinuxOracleJavaWinDevWorld tote bags and mousepads.

(Tip of the hard hat: Kevin Kelly)

LINKS:

Mining Show 2008 (Picassa photoset by Alexander Rose)

Our Lust for Metal is Great (Long Now blog post by Alexander Rose)

MINExpo International (Official trade show website)

(IMAGES: All photos, courtesy of Alexander Rose)

Comments

[Simon]

I sometimes shoot industrial videos and the most fascinating factory I have seen is a maker of mining machines - each one is hand made to custom specs out of raw plate steel. In fact the only thing not made in the plant is the engine, tires and hydraulics. They told me about this trade show and now I am thinking I need to get there somehow...

[Albany Trade Show Exhibits]

Well, that absolutely looks like the worlds greatest trade show. I'll have to visit the next one as soon as I find out where it's being held.

[Trade Show Exhibit]

Good informative post. Thanks for sharing this blog.