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Sikhulekelani Moyo, Business Reporter
THE Mining, Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra) expo begins in Bulawayo tomorrow amid expectation the gathering will mainstream strategies towards enhanced domestic value addition and beneficiation, which would boost the country’s earnings.

Mining, Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra)

While the country has been recording a steady growth in mining output and corresponding exports, the Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) says greater yields could be derived through robust beneficiation approaches that could contribute more to the attainment of Vision 2030.

Mine Entra is being held after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, and this presents a strong case for developing inward industrial capacities, said ZIF chief operations officer, Mr Dosman Mangisi, in an interview.

In particular, he emphasised that the expo deliberates seriously on the metals value chain, which is a key sector in the global economy.

“The metals sector is the anchor of Zimbabwe and it’s the one that can quickly turn around the country’s economy and assist in strengthening our local currency through exports,” said Mr Mangisi.

“The Government should come up with strong policies to support domestic value addition and beneficiation of minerals and metals and this must be a key topic at Mine-Entra.

“Zimbabwe has 40 strategic minerals but we don’t have metal reserves like iron, manganese, copper billets, ferro manganese, nickel etc.”

This year’s Mine Entra will run under the theme: “Explore, Extract, Expand: Towards Sustainable Mining Value Chains” and will be hosted at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre from tomorrow to Friday.

Citing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has disrupted global commodity supply chains, Mr Mangisi said Zimbabwe should be able to close the gap and supply processed metal around the region and the world.

He said all that is possible when the country manages to have reserves for processed metals.

“We’re looking forward to have proper business engagements as we have membership business organisations, which include Chamber of Mines, Zimbabwe Miners Federation, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and ZIF, a full-time value addition and beneficiation institute for minerals,” said Mr Mangisi.

Chamber of Mines

The premier gathering of mining, engineering, transport and construction industry stakeholders provides a platform to engage in productive discussions for the creation of an enabling environment for the growth and development of the mining industry.

Mr Mangisi said the event was a collective engagement that should foster technology transfer, information and business transfer, which will also promote creation of synergies in the mining sector.

He, however, urged established mining and engineering firms to close ranks and work hand in hand with small scale players as they contribute more to the economy.

The Government has set a US$12 billion mining industry target by 2023, which will be driven mainly by gold, platinum, diamond, chrome, iron ore, coal, lithium, and other strategic minerals.

– @SikhulekelaniM1