Murphy Woodhouse/KJZZ

Mack McKall, CEO of Phoenix-based Terrific Trucks and Equipment, went to the conference in Hermosillo to try and break into the mining industry.

Hermosillo’s ExpoForum is abuzz with deal making this week, with hundreds of mining companies packing the conference center. The Sonoran International Mining Congress is considered one of the most important such events in the region.

Mack McCall, CEO of Phoenix-based Terrific Trucks and Equipment, said it was his company’s first time attending. He’s hoping to break into the mining sector.

“It’s kind of the West Coast Chopper theory behind it,” he said. “We kind of rebuild old stuff and make it back like new, at usually 50 percent of the cost.”

McCall’s company was one of five set up at the Arizona Commerce Authority’s exposition booth. Another was Skyline Assayers & Laboratories in Tucson. Vice President Nancy Gungor said her company has come to the conference a number of times and does a lot of work for mining companies in Northern Mexico and the American Southwest.

“Hermosillo being so close to the border, it’s great exposure for our company,” she said.

“Sonora is a natural partner for Arizona companies who are looking to sell into the mining supply chain,” said the ACA’s Kevin O’Shea.

Because there are so many international firms represented, he says there are also plenty of global opportunities for attendees.