Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
MINING experts say this year’s Mining Engineering and Transport Exhibition (Mine Entra) will provide a platform to unlock Zimbabwe’s mineral value chains by promoting investment in innovative mining technologies.
The exhibition will run from 29 to 31 July in Bulawayo.
Ahead of the event, mining stakeholders gathered at the Zimbabwe School of Mines on Wednesday for a train-the-trainer programme, where artisanal miners received technical skills in mineral processing and beneficiation.
Experts said the initiative comes as the Second Republic continues to prioritise value addition and beneficiation, which will be among the key themes at this year’s Mine Entra.
One miner said the training had equipped small-scale miners to engage potential investors and adopt improved mining technologies.
“We are very happy that the party has realised the importance of ensuring small-scale miners are capacitated with technical skills. We are now well prepared for Mine Entra. We are looking forward to meeting people with machinery to help us and revisiting our mining methods. In the past, we have been using ordinary equipment, and we are looking for partners who will assist us in mining so that we get the right products from what we mine,” he said.
Another miner said the exhibition comes at a time when the sector is receiving increased Government support.
“As miners, we are excited that this year’s edition comes at a time when the Second Republic has done a lot in promoting the mining industry. We believe this year’s edition will help us interact with investors so that we can showcase the vast opportunities the country is endowed with,” he said.
Small-scale miner Cde Andile Ndlovu said the exhibition should strengthen local value chains by encouraging investment in mineral processing.
“We are hoping that the discussions will focus on strengthening our local mining value chains. Instead of our raw materials being taken out of the country, we want to focus on discussions that advance how we can collaborate with investors to set up processing plants,” he said.
ZANU PF Secretary for Mines and Energy Cde Paul Mangwana said Mine Entra remains an important platform for showcasing mining technologies and promoting sectoral growth.
“Mining employs about 60 percent of youths in the country. Mining creates the resources used in industry. It is from mining that we get the raw materials that are then processed into various tools used in different sectors. Mine Entra showcases the machinery used in mining and links relevant stakeholders to discuss measures to develop the sector,” he said.
More than 500 exhibitors are expected to participate in this year’s Mine Entra, which is set to promote innovation, investment and industrialisation across Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
