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The following Tours and Special Events are offered during MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2012. The Tours and Special Events require tickets that can be purchased as part of registration.

The Special Events will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Tours will depart and return from the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Description of Tours and Special Events

Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Black Canyon River Raft Adventure
Ticket: $195*

Located a short distance from the Las Vegas Strip in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Black Canyon, is truly one of those unique places to visit. This canyon, formed by the Colorado River, lies just below the mighty Hoover Dam where the canyon walls rise nearly 2,000 feet from the river's edge. The river raft adventure will give guests an extremely rare view of the Hoover Dam that very few people have the opportunity to see. Guests will board large comfortable rafts which have been carefully constructed with your party's safety in mind. During the excursion, experienced and knowledgeable guides will share with you the history of this magnificent geological area. The high canyon walls will leave you breathless. Be prepared to see Desert Big Horn Sheep, Osprey, and Great Blue Heron in their natural setting. Bring your camera because it is seldom you will have an opportunity such as this to view the wonders of nature.

The rafts will stop along the shore to give you a chance to swim or play in the cool clear waters below Hoover Dam. Guests can take this opportunity to enjoy the box lunch provided while watching and listening to the sights and sounds of this magnificent desert. The trip will end on the Arizona side of the river at Willow Beach.

Note: climbing in and out of the raft requires some physical dexterity.  Please wear comfortable and safe shoes.  Plan on getting splashed at times, so quick drying clothes are recommended.  Swimsuits are allowed.  It's a good idea to bring a jacket and towel.

*Ticket price includes round-trip transportation via motor coach with pick-up and drop-off at the Las Vegas Convention Center, tour guides, gratuities, box lunch with water, admission to Black Canyon, management fee.

Monday, Sept. 24, 2012

1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
On The Wild Side Tour
Ticket: $110*

This tour is for true wildlife lovers! Our journey begins with a visit to the Mirage Hotel and Casino, one of the premier resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. At the Mirage, you will visit the "Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy" and the "Dolphin Habitat". "The Secret Garden" puts you face to face with some of Siegfried and Roy's most precious animals in an exotic jungle setting. You will meet snow white tigers, white lions and snow leopards. After your trip through the jungle, it is off to the "Dolphin Habitat" where you will enjoy the Mirage's family of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. A guided tour will help you better understand and enjoy these truly remarkable animals.

The newest wildlife attraction in Las Vegas is the incredible Shark Reef. The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay will offer you a close-up look at aquatic life and rare reptiles ranging from 13 species of sharks to rare golden crocodiles. The five golden crocodiles - among only 12 known to exist - were destined to end up as wallets and belts until they were discovered in Bangkok, Thailand by curators gathering species from around the world. The project includes 75 different species of sharks, tropical and fresh water fish, reptiles, marine invertebrates and rays. The project, two years in the making, is expected to expand to 100 species, with more than 3,500 animals on display. The facility covers more than 105,000 square feet and holds almost 2 million gallons of seawater.

Note: Please wear comfortable and safe shoes

*Ticket price includes round-trip transportation via motor coach with pick-up and drop-off at the Las Vegas Convention Center, tour guide, admission to Secret Garden and Shark Reef, and management fee.

Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Red Rock Canyon Tour
Ticket: $80*

Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area is the dramatic western backdrop to the Las Vegas Valley. Explore the visual playground of panoramic vistas, tapestries of reds, maroons and whites. Then get up close to the bold sandstone buttresses to feel geologic history at your fingertips. Can you imagine this area once being under the sea? Enjoy the beauty of the valley as you take a guided tour along a 13-mile loop. The bus will transport guests from scenic point to scenic point. Along the way guests will be allowed to exit the bus and take pictures at various points of interest. The tour is lead by a professional tour guide with extensive knowledge of Red Rock Canyon.

Note: Comfortable, safe and close-toed shoes should be worn.  Do not wear sandals or high heels.  There will be some walking on uneven surfaces.  Bringing a jacket is advisable.

*Ticket price includes round-trip transportation via motor coach with pick-up and drop-off at the Las Vegas Convention Center; tour guide; admission to Red Rock Canyon, and management fee. Box Lunches, bottled water and soft drinks will be available at an extra charge.

12:30 - 2 p.m.
Sentinels of Safety Luncheon
Ticket: $45*

The purpose of the annual Sentinels of Safety award program is to recognize achievement of outstanding safety records and to encourage development of more effective accident prevention programs among the Nation's mineral extractive industries.

This luncheon will honor the 2011 recipients of the coveted Sentinels of Safety Awards. These awards are presented each year to those mining operations throughout the country that have demonstrated an exemplary safety record. Sentinel of Safety winners are those mines that have worked the most employee-hours without experiencing any lost work days. The competition requires a minimum of at least 4,000 injury-free hours and winning operations typically far exceed that total.

In addition, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Mine Safety and Health is initiating a program to recognize and promote innovative applications of technology to improve mine safety and health. The first recipient(s) of the “Technology Innovations in Mine Safety” award will be recognized at the awards luncheon.

Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hoover Dam Discovery Tour
Ticket: $80*

Visit one of the most inspiring man-made wonders of the world. Hoover Dam is the gateway to beautiful Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in America. This engineering marvel will be sure to amaze all of its visitors. Your tour guide will provide you with facts about our glorious city and points of interest as you embark on your 45-minute journey to Hoover Dam. You will enjoy spectacular views of the entire Las Vegas Valley as you wind through the mountains to your destination. Once at the Dam, you will be invited to tour the depths of this mighty wonder. A professional guide will take your group through the inside of the Dam and provide you with interesting facts about the facility. You will learn how it was built and how the Dam provides services today. In addition, the new and improved Visitors Center provides a breath-taking view of the Dam and the Black Canyon below, where the mighty Colorado River starts its journey. Audiovisual presentations and interactive multi-media exhibits are yours to explore.

Note: Please wear comfortable and safe shoes. Bringing a jacket is advisable.

*Ticket price includes round-trip transportation via mini coach with pick-up and drop-off at the Las Vegas Convention Center, tour guide, admission to Hoover Dam, parking, park fee, management fee.

12:30 – 2 p.m.
U.S. Department of the Interior Awards Luncheon
Ticket: $45*

These awards are the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining (OSM) Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards and the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards. The OSM awards are presented to coal mining companies who achieve the most exemplary mining and reclamation in the country, while the BLM awards recognize the efforts made by mining companies in implementing the principles of sustainable development.