2026 Annual Mineral Exploration Summit   Recently updated !

The 16th Annual Mineral Exploration Summit will be held OCTOBER 20, 2026 at the Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno, Nevada

THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT –  Registration is now open!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?  Anyone involved or interested in any facet of Nevada’s mining industry.  

WHAT IS THE Nevada Mineral Exploration Coalition (NMEC)?  A not-for-profit, non-partisan coalition of small businesses and individuals engaged in, or in support of, mineral exploration and development activities in the State of Nevada. Our mission is to Preserve and Promote the mineral exploration industry of Nevada. 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNUAL MINERAL EXPLORATION SUMMIT? The Summit brings together industry, legislative and regulatory decision makers as well as representatives of other non-governmental organizations to discuss topics of critical importance to the exploration industry of Nevada. 

PROGRAM DETAILS:  The program details will be added here as it is fleshed out. The Program being developed will include presentations and panel discussions on issues related to legislation, regulation, public lands access, plus updates from government agencies and industry organizations

REGISTRATION: Your registration includes continental breakfast, plated lunch with keynote speaker, and an afternoon reception with hosted hors d’oeuvres and bar. You are encouraged to register for the Summit at the bottom of this page

Early registration thru Tuesday, October 13, 2026:

     Members: $275

     Nonmembers: $425 (includes a NMEC membership through 2027)

Late registration after Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and onsite:

     Members: $375

     Nonmembers: $525 (includes a NMEC membership through 2027)

On-site registration desk opens at 7:30 am Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and will be available until noon. Or register now below


Summit Program

The AMES program is still being finalized and speakers confirmed. The meeting will be held from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, with a luncheon (with speaker) and an evening reception to follow.

Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. and continues all day. Registration fee includes a continental breakfast: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., coffee breaks, luncheon, and reception at the end of the day.

  • MORNING SESSIONS
  • 8:00-8:30 – Elizabeth Zbinden, President, Nevada Mineral Exploration Coalition:
    • Election and Business Meeting
    • Annual Report
  • 8:30 AM – Mark Compton, Executive Director, American Exploration and Mining Association; Talk – News Flash: Mining is a Big Deal!
  • 9:00 AM – Rich DeLong, Nevada State Assembly (District 26); Talk – Fourteen Weeks Until the Next Session, What Can We Expect?
  • 9:30 AM – Jeff Parshley, Director, Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering; Talk – Mackay School: Learning from the Past, but Looking to the Future
  • 10:00 – 10:15 AM BREAK
  • 10:15 AM Panel – Overstaking Claims Issues; Moderator – Mark Travis, Arkenstone Exploration
    • Panelists:
      • Frank Noland, National Gold Mining Corp. &
      • Brian Brewer, Brewer Exploration & Geological Services, Inc.
  • 12:00 PM LUNCHEON – Speaker: Teresa Benitez-Thompson, Candidate, Northern Nevada’s Congressional District NV-02
  • AFTERNOON SESSIONS
  • 1:30 PM – Debra Struhsacker, Mining and Public Lands Policy Consultant; Talk – Federal Update: Permit Streamlining, Mining Education Funding, and Mining Ping Pong in Minnesota
  • 2:00 PM – Where is exploration going next?
    • Tyler Hall, ExplorTech
    • Samantha Hermany, Zanskar
  • 3:15 PM Panel – Public Lands Questions and Issues; Moderator – Maggie O’Flaherty, McDonald Carano
    • Panelist:
      • Natha Anderson, Nevada State Assembly District 30
  • 4:00-6:00 Reception

The AMES is the primary fund-raising event for the NMEC and we encourage you to support our efforts through a contribution as a sponsor of the event. Being a Sponsor will help defray the cost of the Summit and insure NMEC’s continued ability to benefit the Nevada exploration industry. Sponsors will have their company’s name and logo prominently displayed on the Sponsor Board at the meeting and in the printed event program. 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SUPPORT LEVELS: Are listed below

  • Platinum: $5,000 (includes two complimentary registrations and expanded display space)
  • Diamond: $1,500 (includes one complimentary registration and expanded display space)
  • Gold:  $1,000 (includes complimentary expanded display space)
  • Silver: $750
  • Bronze: $500
  • Copper: $250
  • Any $ Amount you wish to contribute

Contact Elizabeth Zbinden for additional display/promotion opportunities (elizabeth.zbinden@rmgeoscience.com)


If you would like to donate to this year’s Summit – use this link : Mineral Exploration Summit Sponsorship


To Register to attend the 2026 Annual Mineral Exploration Summit, please use the form below

-or- If you prefer to not register online, click here to download and print the 2026 AMES Registration Form


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