Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S mining sector, the country’s biggest foreign currency earner and a key driver of industrialisation, takes centre stage in Bulawayo as the annual Mine Entra 2026 begins today bringing together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, equipment manufacturers and technology providers to unlock new opportunities across the mineral value chain.
The three-day mining, engineering and transport exhibition, running until Friday at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES), comes at a time when the Government is intensifying efforts to accelerate mineral beneficiation, value addition and local content development to maximise returns from the country’s vast mineral resources.
The exhibition attracts a diverse range of exhibitors, from heavy engineering and equipment suppliers to service providers in logistics, construction, and protective wear.
Exhibitors were yesterday putting final touches to their stands with Government departments under Mines and Mining Development and other ministries, companies from across the mining value chain preparing to showcase the latest mining equipment, engineering technologies, automation systems, transport solutions and specialist services designed to improve productivity, safety and operational efficiency.
Held under the theme, “Unearth, Transform, Prosper: Anchoring Economic Transformation Through Mining Value Chains,” the exhibition is organised by the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe.
The exhibition is expected to reinforce mining’s strategic contribution to economic growth by promoting investment, technology transfer, innovation and stronger linkages between mining companies and local manufacturers, engineering firms and service providers.
ZITF Company marketing and corporate communications manager Mr Thandolwenkosi Nkomo said exhibitor response had been encouraging, with strong local and international participation.
“As of this morning (Tuesday) we had more than 250 local and international exhibitors who had registered for participate. Added to that, 20 countries are represented,” he said.
Mr Nkomo said this year’s programme has been expanded to include a series of high-level technical symposiums aimed at addressing key issues affecting the mining industry.
Among the major highlights is the Beneficiation and Value Addition Symposium, which will examine policy frameworks, investment opportunities and strategies for increasing domestic mineral processing to maximise economic returns.
Delegates will also participate in the Exploration Seminar where experts will assess Zimbabwe’s mineral exploration landscape, emerging investment prospects, industry challenges and measures required to stimulate future discoveries and sustainable sector growth.
Attention will then shift to the flagship Mine Entra Conference on Thursday, where mining executives, financiers, investors, policymakers and technical experts are expected to deliberate on emerging industry trends, financing opportunities, technological innovation and strategies to strengthen the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s mining industry.
Beyond the exhibition floor, Mine Entra continues to provide a strategic business interface that facilitates partnerships between mining companies, suppliers, financiers, technology providers and policymakers, while promoting dialogue on policy, infrastructure and investment priorities critical to sector growth.
With global demand for strategic minerals such as lithium, platinum and gold remaining firm, this year’s exhibition is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a competitive mining investment destination while advancing
Government’s drive to build resilient mining value chains anchored on beneficiation, innovation and sustainable economic development.
Mining remains the country’s largest export sector, contributing more than 75 percent of export earnings while underpinning employment creation, infrastructure development and industrial expansion.
The industry is central to the country’s economic transformation agenda as Government pursues Vision 2030 through increased beneficiation, value addition and the development of competitive domestic supply chains.
Zimbabwe’s rich endowment of minerals including gold, platinum group metals, lithium, chrome, diamonds, coal and nickel continues to attract significant investor interest, with policy reforms increasingly focused on ensuring greater local participation and increased processing of minerals before export.
