Staff Reporter

This year, the Mining industry has grown significantly owing to major investments by local, regional and foreign investors, the Harare Post can report.

Speaking at the 2023 official opening of the Mines and Transport Expo (MineEntra) in Bulawayo, the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, Soda Zhemu revealed that the sector was on a massive growth trajectory following interests by investors to resuscitates closed mines as well as ensure value addition and beneficiation of all minerals.

"The mining industry continues to witness significant growth under pinned by major investments in areas of exploration, value addition and beneficiation, opening of new mines, the resuscitation of closed Mines, and expansion of existing mines across various mining subsections,” Minister Soda said.

Additionally, the Minister informed that a number of mining companies have entered into agreements with Government for investments in the value addition of minerals, a situation that will see the Mining sector surpassing its US$12 billion Mining Industry target by year end, significantly contributing to the  country's goal of attaining an Upper Middle-Income Economy by the year 2030.

Minister Soda Zhemu further indicated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned key mining projects this year, which  include the Machesu Coal Mine, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe Lithium Processing, Sabi Star Lithium Processing Plant and ZIMPLANTS.

Furthermore, foreign exhibitors at this year's MineEntra expressed gratitude for the opportunity to market their products and share ideas with other companies.  One of the participants who is the Marketing Manager of GNK Valves, Mrs Alicen said that she was proud to be part of this year's edition and was already looking forward to the 2024 edition of the Expo.