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THE 2024 Annual Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Conference kicked off in Victoria Falls yesterday, bringing together a diversity of local and international stakeholders to deliberate on key issues affecting the sector and its contribution to the national economy.
This year’s conference is being held under the theme: “Unlocking Growth Potential for the Zimbabwe Mining Industry”, which is motivated by the desire to create an environment that sustains growth to realise the economic transformation that we all desire, Chamber of Mines president, Mr Thomas Gono, said.
Guided by the national economic transformation aspirations espoused under the Vision 2030, organisers have said the high-level event will include a critical minerals symposium, a PGMs (platinum group of metals) indaba, the main conference, exhibition and side events and activities including dinners, cocktails and a golf tournament.
The conference began with constitutional closed-door Annual General Meeting and council meetings to regularise the governance of the Chamber.
Today, there will be a Critical Minerals Symposium to be held between 0900 to 1230pm featuring Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, as the guest of honour.
Other key speakers will be drawn from an array of seasoned local, regional and international experts to share their thoughts on various discussion areas around the symposium.
Among these will be speakers from SFA Oxford, a renowned global research institution, representatives from critical minerals markets and other experts.
There will also be a Lithium Symposium, between 11pm and 4pm followed by the PGMs Indaba to discuss pertinent matters for the sector.
“We will receive presentations from various local, regional and international experts including executives of operating mines and new PGMS projects,” said Mr Gono in a preliminary media briefing shared with Chronicle.
The official opening event is slated for Thursday with President Mnangagwa expected to deliver the keynote address.
Other key speakers include Dr John Mushayavanhu, Governor of the RBZ, Finance Minister, Prof Mthuli Ncube and Zimra Commissioner General, Ms Regina Chinamasa, among others.
Key topics for discussion will border around; growth imperatives for the mining industry, energy solutions for the mining industry and financing solutions for the mining industry.
The outcome of the conference is expected to assist in promoting the development and growth of the mining sector in the medium to long term.
“We have invited all stakeholders to this important event on the mining calendar who have responded positively.
“We trust that the coverage of the event will be balanced and provide those who may not be able to attend insights on the proceedings of the event,” said Mr Gono.
Contacted for comment, programmes consultant and Minex chairman, Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere, said this year’s mining conference comes at a critical time when Zimbabwe has introduced the new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, which is backed by a basket of precious minerals and foreign currencies.
“Mining is a key economic driver contribution, nearly 70 percent of forex earnings and the attainment of Vision 2030 is hinged on unlocking mining opportunities, he said.
“The conference also comes at a time when the PGMs sector, which contributes more is going through turbulence and we will need to deliberate on sustainability issues, as well as harnessing opportunities in minerals of the future such as lithium and how as a country we can attract more investments while enhancing business competitiveness.”
Mr Hwengwere said the unlocking of minerals value chain also encompasses facilitating positive community benefits in mining town.
He said given that minerals were a finite resource, mining investors should invest more of development projects that will benefit communities for future generations.
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