Spokane, Washington, USA-based Northwest Mining Association (NWMA) has changed its name to the American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA). NWMA 2012 President Rich DeLong, of Enviroscientists Inc., summed up the reason for the change:
“The association’s membership has evolved far beyond the traditional northwest of the United States, with more than 65% of its membership outside the northwest, encompassing 42 states, seven Canadian provinces, and 10 other countries. NWMA had developed a nationwide reputation for its work on behalf of the mineral industry, especially its work on federal mining, environmental and public land issues; and the name no longer accurately reflected who we are and what we represent. The new name reflects more closely the diversity and location of our membership.”
The association’s mission remains the same. It has long been recognized as the national voice in the United States for mineral exploration and access to public lands, and it will continue to advocate for its membership while educating policy makers and the public that mining is the beginning of the supply chain and minerals are the ingredients of life.
Louie Cononelos, AEMA’s 2014 president, said, “This is an exciting time to be a part of the AEMA as it continues to represent the mining industry with a new name that underscores the importance of exploration to our industry and more accurately reflects who we are and what we do.”
The new website of the American Exploration & Mining Association can be accessed at www.miningamerica.org.
