Acting President General Rtd. Chiwenga Officially Opens 2025 Mine-Entra Exhibition

Acting President Hon. General (Rtd.) Dr. Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga officially opened the 2025 Mine-Entra Exhibition, a premier event that has become the heartbeat of Zimbabwe’s mining, engineering, and transport sectors.

Running under the theme “Sustainable Mining: Innovation, Growth, and Value Addition,” this year’s edition has drawn hundreds of exhibitors, investors, and industry leaders from Zimbabwe, Africa, and beyond — all united by a shared vision to power the country’s economic transformation through sustainable mineral development.

The arrival of Acting President Chiwenga at the ZITF grounds marked a significant moment for Zimbabwe’s mining industry.

Accompanied by Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon. Winston Chitando and other senior officials, the Acting President toured exhibition stands featuring the latest technologies, machinery, and innovations shaping the future of mining.

Now in its 27th year, Mine-Entra has evolved into one of Southern Africa’s most influential mining expos.

The 2025 edition boasts over 250 exhibitors from more than 10 countries, including South Africa, China, the United Arab Emirates, Botswana, and Russia, highlighting Zimbabwe’s growing global footprint in mining investment and trade.

The exhibition offers a vital networking platform that brings together mining companies, small-scale miners, government agencies, financiers, and technology providers. It not only promotes business linkages but also facilitates knowledge exchange critical to achieving Vision 2030, Zimbabwe’s national goal of attaining upper middle-income status.

Delivering his keynote address, Acting President Chiwenga reaffirmed that mining remains the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, foreign currency earnings, and employment.

“Mining is at the heart of our economy and remains a key pillar in achieving Vision 2030 — our national goal of becoming an upper middle-income society,” said Dr. Chiwenga.

“Through sustainable extraction, technological innovation, and value addition, we can ensure that our mineral wealth benefits all Zimbabweans.” The Acting President added.

He emphasized that Zimbabwe’s vast mineral endowment — comprising over 60 minerals such as gold, platinum, lithium, chrome, coal, and diamonds — must serve as the foundation for industrialization and inclusive growth.

However, he cautioned against reliance on raw exports, stressing the need to move decisively toward beneficiation and value addition.

“Our focus must shift from merely mining resources to processing them locally — creating jobs, industries, and opportunities for our youth,” he said. “This is why the Second Republic has prioritized value addition and beneficiation as central to our mining development agenda.”

The Acting President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to policy consistency, transparency, and investor confidence.

He cited ongoing reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, ensuring transparent licensing systems, and protecting investor rights while upholding environmental and social governance standards.

“Zimbabwe is open for business — and even more so for responsible and sustainable mining,” Dr. Chiwenga said. “Our policies are designed to create a balance between profitability, community empowerment, and environmental protection.”

He also praised the digitalization of the mining cadastre system and enhanced geological mapping initiatives under the Ministry of Mines, which are improving efficiency and transparency in mineral exploration and allocation.

The government’s reform agenda, he added, is already bearing fruit through increased foreign direct investment and the expansion of major mining projects in the lithium, platinum, and gold sectors.

A major highlight of Dr. Chiwenga’s address was his call for a mining industry that delivers shared prosperity and environmental responsibility.

“The days when mining left communities impoverished while resources were extracted from their land are behind us,” he declared. “Mining must now empower, not exploit — build, not destroy.”

The Acting President commended companies that have invested in community infrastructure such as schools, clinics, and roads, aligning their operations with national development goals.

He also urged all miners — large and small-scale alike — to adopt green technologies, adhere to environmental regulations, and incorporate climate resilience strategies into their operations.

“We cannot talk about progress while degrading the very environment that sustains us,” he said. “Sustainable mining is not just a slogan; it is our duty to future generations.”

Mine-Entra 2025 has underscored Zimbabwe’s growing capacity for homegrown innovation. Exhibitors have showcased advanced machinery, digital mining solutions, automation technologies, and clean energy applications.

Notably, Zimbabwe Mining Equipment Supplies (ZIMES) introduced a locally developed mobile gold processing unit, designed to boost productivity among artisanal and small-scale miners.

Meanwhile, TechMine Africa demonstrated drone-assisted geological mapping that improves exploration accuracy and safety.

These innovations reflect Zimbabwe’s broader vision of developing a competitive, technologically driven mining industry capable of contributing to regional value chains and reducing dependence on imports.

This year’s exhibition also underscores Zimbabwe’s central role in regional economic integration.

Delegations from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) — including Zambia, Mozambique, and Namibia — attended the event to explore cross-border partnerships and investment opportunities.

Dr. Busisa Moyo, Chief Executive Officer of the ZITF Company, highlighted that Mine-Entra serves as a bridge between local producers, international investors, and government agencies, enabling dialogue that strengthens trade and innovation.

“Mine-Entra is where ideas meet investment. It’s a platform that positions Zimbabwe as a competitive and sustainable mining destination,” Dr. Moyo noted.

In closing, Acting President Chiwenga urged all stakeholders to remain united, disciplined, and visionary in their efforts to transform Zimbabwe’s mining landscape.

“Our minerals are a blessing, but their true value lies in how we manage and use them. Let us be responsible stewards, building industries that last and creating a better future for generations to come.” The Acting President implored.

His remarks were met with resounding applause, as delegates celebrated a shared vision of mining as a catalyst for national growth and industrialisation.

The official opening set the tone for three days of networking, investment negotiations, and knowledge sharing, reaffirming Bulawayo’s reputation as Zimbabwe’s industrial capital and a hub for economic transformation.

The 2025 Mine-Entra Exhibition stands as a powerful symbol of Zimbabwe’s resilience, innovation, and forward momentum.

Through collaborative efforts between government, industry, and investors, the nation continues to build a sustainable and inclusive mining sector capable of powering its economic future.

As the lights gleamed across the ZITF grounds, one message echoed throughout Bulawayo:
Zimbabwe’s mining sector is not just powering the economy — it is powering the nation’s destiny.