The Sunday News
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company will for the first time since the inception of the Mine Entra exhibition reserve exclusive exhibition space for showcasing of products tailor-made for use by artisanal and small-scale miners.
ZITF Company general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu said the internationally acclaimed exhibition provider had been in consultations with the Zimbabwe Miners Federation with a view of offering artisanal and small-scale miners a “total package” at the exhibition centre.
This year’s 20th edition of the premier mining, engineering and transport expo will be held from Wednesday to Friday under the theme “Unearthing Opportunities”.
“They (small-scale miners) have traditionally used the (conference) venue more than our services so we have been in discussions with them for us to offer them a total package, just to raise the profile of the event and I am happy to say we are working closely with them this year.
“In terms of their participation we are looking at more participation from the miners themselves apart from the organising bodies, which we usually have representing them. This year we have indications that they want to come for themselves but we are waiting for those confirmations,” Mrs Ndlovu said.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) chief executive officer Mr Wellington Takavarasha said the ZITF Company accepted their request to have Hall 5 exclusively to showcase products tailor-made for artisanal and small to medium scale miners.
“I wrote to ZITF requesting that ZMF occupy Hall 5 for artisanal and small scale miners which they agreed. We had requested for discounted rates. The request was to have an exhibition specifically for artisanal and small-scale mining to be slotted in Hall 5 under the ZMF flagship.
“The envisaged scenario is that the hall should attract artisanal and small-scale mining with the latest products and services in one venue that have been tailor-made for artisanal miners,” he said.
ZMF would also hold an award ceremony where three artisanal miners are expected to be honoured for their outstanding performance in production, safety, health and environmental issues.
The small-scale and artisanal miners’ conference would be held on Thursday and would focus on issues affecting this special interest group, including improved mining methods, environmental responsibility and acquiring financing.
