Northern Ontario's mining supply storefront in Nevada is beginning to take shape with the selection of a location and a point of contact.
MineConnect has started a U.S. spinoff with the launch of MineConnect USA and the appointment of Sheena Hansen as its strategic development director.
The offices will be located at 905 West Main Street in Elko, Nevada.
A Nov. 4 MineConnect news release said Hansen will be tasked with connecting mine supply and service firms from Northern Ontario to opportunities in the Nevada mining market.
The U.S. arm of the Northern Ontario-based not-for-profit will be led by a volunteer board of directors, along with Tremblay and Hansen.
“It took some time but it was crucial to us that we get things right from the outset," said MineConnect executive director Marla Tremblay in a statement.
"Selecting a candidate with the right combination of work experience and talent who is also a great fit with our organizational culture is critical to the success of the project.
"Having the right person on the ground to represent MineConnect USA and the participating companies will make all the difference in achieving our goals and we feel that Sheena is well positioned to do that," Tremblay said.
"We also wanted to secure an office location that would meet our logistical needs while conveying the right message to industry.”
MineConnect, formerly known as SAMSSA, represents a membership of 190 mining-related companies and 8,800 employees across Northern Ontario.
The Elko location will have space to house 10 Northern Ontario companies.
The organization said the next steps in the project will a targeted social media to drive traffic to the new website as well as participating in and hosting various industry events.
According to the Nevada Mining Association, the state has a mining history that dates back more than 150 years. More than 20 minerals are mined in the state, including gold and silver. The state's mining industry employs 14,800 employees and generates more than US $403 million in wages.
