Thousands of delegates from across the mining value chain converged on Bulawayo last week for the 28th edition of Mine Entra, Zimbabwe’s flagship mining, engineering and transport exhibition.
Held at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) from 29 to 31 July, the three-day event brought together mining companies, equipment manufacturers, technology providers, policymakers and investors to discuss the future of Zimbabwe’s mining industry.
President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa was expected to officially open the exhibition but was represented by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga due to other national commitments.
Addressing delegates during the official opening, Chiwenga said Mine Entra had evolved beyond being a traditional trade exhibition into an important platform for collaboration and industry development.
“There has grown an impact with far-reaching influence on the ongoing transformation of the mining sector and the overall socio-economic development of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. It has distinguished itself from being a trade show to becoming a platform where ideas are crystallised and partnerships forged,” he said.
This year’s exhibition was held under the theme, “Unearth, Transform, Prosper: Anchoring Economic Transformation Through Mining Value Chains.”
According to Chiwenga, the theme aligns with the Second Republic’s vision of ensuring inclusive economic growth by creating opportunities throughout the mining value chain.
“This year’s conference theme is befitting and resonates with the government’s ongoing mining policy strategies. The aim is to build a value-added mining economy through beneficiation and industrialisation. We want to guarantee maximum value from our God-given natural resources,” said C hiwenga.
He added that the mining sector’s success should be measured not only by economic growth, but also by the benefits it delivers to ordinary Zimbabweans.
“Ultimately, the mining industry must not only aid in expanding national wealth or economic growth, but result in tangible benefits to ordinary citizens.”
Zimbabwe continues to position mining as one of the key pillars of its economic development strategy, with government placing increasing emphasis on local mineral beneficiation, downstream processing and value addition. The country is rich in minerals including gold, platinum group metals, lithium, chrome, diamonds and coal, making the sector a significant contributor to export earnings and employment.
Mine Entra once again provided a platform for exhibitors to showcase the latest mining equipment, engineering solutions, safety technologies and processing innovations while creating opportunities for investment discussions, knowledge sharing and business partnerships across the regional mining industry.
