Beneficiation to take centre stage at Mine Entra expo
HARNESSING value addition and beneficiation opportunities will take centre stage at the forthcoming Mining Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra) Exhibition to be hosted by Bulawayo at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre next week.
According to organisers, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company, 218 direct exhibitors have booked exhibition space to date, which compares favourably to last year’s closing total of 153 direct exhibitors, representing a 42 percent increase.
As the country moves to adopt strategies to catalyse economic growth, hopes are high that the specialised expo, which is in its 23rd edition, will focus on advancing inclusivity in the mining value chain, seen as a critical pillar in the economy.
This thrust is borne out of the belief that Zimbabwe’s rich mineral endowment can be the cornerstone of not only a growing economy, but also a fair and inclusive economy that extends opportunities to its entire people, ZITF Company marketing and public relations manager, Ms Stella Nkomo, said.
To further this agenda, she said, this year’s Mine Entra will feature several targeted knowledgesharing and networking platforms devoted to inspiring a diverse population – especially women and young professionals – to tap into the latent opportunities and forge a brighter future within the mining industry. Ms Nkomo said the Mine Entra 2018 Conference next Thursday would anchor the national vision for the sector and usher in “an era of real inclusion and growth”.
“Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, will deliver a key-note address that highlights Government’s vision for unlocking the value of the extractive industry to catalyse economic growth and socio-economic development,” said Ms Nkomo.
Delegates will have an opportunity to frankly deliberate on opportunities and threats arising from the different enabling sectors in the mining value chain and proffer possible solutions. According to the ZITF Company, Ministers of Industry and Commerce (Mangaliso Ndlovu), Dr Joram Gumbo (Energy and Power Development), Joel Biggie Matiza (Transport and Infrastructural Development) and high level representation from Treasury, have confirmed their participation.
Among the key highlights of the event would be the Women in Mining Conference on Wednesday (10th of October), to be opened by Minister Sithembiso Nyoni. Other key speakers would be drawn from private sector players in the banking, academia, small scale mining, suppliers and regulators. More than 150 delegates are expected to take part as new industry players and seasoned veterans present studies and stories about how they opened doors, overcame challenges and created opportunities for themselves and others in the mining industry.
Meanwhile, Ms Nkomo said preparations for the exhibition were on track with exhibition bookings still coming in steadily. “Currently the exhibition is sitting at 7 538sqm of space sold, compared to 4 414sqm sold at last year’s show. The space sales represent 93 percent of space made available for sale and a 70 percent increase from last year’s space occupancy,” she said.
“Based on an overwhelming interest in the event, supplementary exhibition space has been availed with an additional exhibition hall being opened and more external sites being put to use.”