Big names to grace Mining Indaba

third edition of the Zimbabwe Mining Indaba scheduled for the capital between September 14 and 16.
Utho Minerals and Energy are organising the Indaba in conjunction with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe.
The third edition of the country’s biggest mining event comes at a time when the sector’s capacity utilisation is expected to increase from last year’s levels of between 45 to 50 percent to reach 60 percent by year end.
This is achievable if the industry gets access to adequate funding, with most experts estimating funding requirements to the tune of US$10 billion upwards.
To this extent, the theme of this year’s edition could not have been more appropriate: “Mining, Infrastructure and Financing”.
Among the high-powered speakers are Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu, Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Tapiwa Mashakada and Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere. Chamber of Mines president Mr Winston Chitando, McCloskey Group founder and managing director Mr Gerard McCloskey and Institute of Mining Research chairman Mr Spencer Kahwai.
Other A-list speakers are Chamber of Mines (South Africa) chief executive Mr Bheki Sibiya, Standard Bank Group (South Africa) manager Mr Thomas Orr and KPMG director of energy and natural resources Mr Ian Kramer. RBS business development executive Mr Marius Joubert, DRA projects executive director Mr Rodney Drew and Mr Keith Lappeman, an independent diamond expert are also scheduled to speak.
According to the organisers, the Mining Indaba – among other functions – provides a platform for exploration of mining and related opportunities in Zimbabwe, while simultaneously allowing delegates to widen their network in the growing industry.
In respect of the latter, the event also comprises of comprehensive business matchmaking sessions and networking opportunities with global mining stakeholders and investors. Another issue that is expected to be topical at the Indaba is the in indigenisation and empowerment drive currently underway in the country.
Last year’s edition of the Mining Indaba largely set the tone for the 2011 event as the issue of new investment in energy infrastructure dominated proceedings.
Notwithstanding the macro-economic challenges, however, the minerals sector is expected to grow substantially again this year from the 47 percent growth rate recorded in 2010.
By the close of this year, the local mining sector is projected to have grown by 44 percent, underpinned by positive growth rates in all minerals except for diamonds, black granite and asbestos.
At the same time, the continued firming of commodity prices on the international market is expected to lead to increased output of minerals such as gold and platinum.
Furthermore, mining houses are also benefiting from improved power supply following the prioritisation and subsequent ring fencing of miners for targeted power supply by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority.
As at end of April 2011, Zesa Holdings had ring fenced the country’s 22 major miners.
Continued investment by mining firms into their operations in the country over the past 18 months has largely counterbalanced negative perceptions over risks that are said to be inherent in the local operating environment.