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Sikhumbuzo Moyo
Bulawayo Bureau
THE keynote address at the rescheduled 27th Mining, Engineering, Transport Expo (Mine-Entra), whose dates have been shifted to October 9 to 11 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo, is set to be delivered by President Mnangagwa.
The country’ prime mining industry showcase was initially set for last month but was put on hold to pave way for the SADC Industrialisation Week, which Harare hosted from July 28 to August 2 before the SADC Summit held on Saturday and other related events on Sunday.
According to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company, which is organising the event, President Mnangagwa is set to deliver the keynote address on October 10, where he will also officially open the exhibition under the theme: “Unearthing success : The mining value chain, innovation and industrialisation nexus”.
ZITF board chairman Mr Busisa Moyo said Mine-Entra came after Zimbabwe successfully hosted the recently ended SADC Industrialisation Week and the SADC Summit, which both highlighted the need for all stakeholders to work together to make Southern Africa, and Africa, in general, a prosperous economic unit.
He said the mining, engineering and transport sectors all played a crucial role in making the continental goal a reality hence the event sought to foster industrialisation in the mining sector through value chain development.
Mr Moyo has since implored all in the broader mining value chain to take part fully in Mine-Entra, continue the dialogue and showcase how success can be unearthed through leveraging on the vast mineral resources and maximising the latent opportunities existing throughout the sector.
“Mine Entra 2024 will convene local and international industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders to explore advancements, opportunities and challenges within the mining and related sectors.
“The three-day event diary is a testament to the high-visibility, high-impact programming,” said Mr Moyo.
The event is expected kick off with the Mining Industry Suppliers Forum, which is organised in partnership with the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe and Mine Entra Buyers Matchmaking Sessions and the day will be capped by the Mine Entra welcome cocktail in the evening. The Mine Entra Conference will take centre stage on October 10, tackling crucial topics such as sustainable mining practices, technological innovations and unlocking investment opportunities in Africa.
“The conference will be headlined by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa who will deliver a keynote address and officially open the exhibition. To round off the exhibition on Friday 11 October, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Small Scale and Artisanal Miners Conference will take place,” said Mr Moyo.
“We appreciate the continued support and understanding of all stakeholders and look forward to welcoming you all to the rescheduled exhibition.”
Mine-Entra is considered a vital driver of resource-based industrialisation and serves as a platform to exhibit the latest advancements and innovations in the mining sector, on local and global scales.
Over the years, the expo has gained a solid reputation for bringing together influential figures in the mining industry to shape and improve Zimbabwe’s mining landscape.
Prior to its postponement, the exhibition had attracted 176 exhibitors including nine foreign firms from China, South Africa and the United Kingdom compared to seven foreign exhibitors at the same time last year.
The mining industry is Zimbabwe’s major economic centre piece contributing over 75 percent of national export earnings anchored by gold, which is the country’s biggest export earner expected to generate US$4 billion annually while platinum – the second largest export earner in 2023 generated US$2,1 billion against a projection of US$3 billion.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter