Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE) is gearing up for another impactful over-border combo tour—this time, Zimbabwe is in the spotlight. In August, MTE will host two back-to-back exhibitions, continuing its mission to connect suppliers and industry operators across the SADC mining and industrial landscape.
Two Events, Two Regions, One Objective
The first leg of the Zimbabwe tour will take place on 19 August in Ngezi, Selous, and will focus squarely on the mining sector. This will be followed by a general industrial expo in Gweru on 21 August, offering a broader platform for suppliers and service providers across various industrial segments.
“Suppliers catering to the platinum, gold, and chrome sectors will benefit most from this tour,” said MTE’s Director, Andrew Macnamara.
Key mining operations in the region include Valterra Platinum’s Unki mine and Mimosa Mining Company, both of which tap into the rich MSZ (Main Sulphide Zone) orebody. This mineralised zone hosts a range of valuable commodities including platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, gold, copper, cobalt, and nickel. The Mimosa operation spans multiple ore bodies, such as North Hill, South Hill, and Far South Hill, with prospects like the Mtshingwe Fault Block offering further exploration potential.
Supporting Industry Amid Market Challenges
With commodity markets—particularly lithium and platinum—facing headwinds in early 2025, operators are under pressure to control production costs and optimise uptime. MTE aims to address these issues by connecting mines with solution-driven exhibitors offering tools for condition monitoring, safety enhancements, and maintenance optimisation.
“We’re focusing on providing solutions to operational pain points—everything from reducing downtime to improving safety on site,” Macnamara explained.
Building on 2024 Success
MTE’s 2024 Zimbabwe tour, its first in the country since 2015, was a success despite its relatively modest size. The Gweru expo attracted 217 visitors and featured 31 exhibitors, while the Ngezi event, held at the Mulota Hill Golf Course near Zimplats operations, drew 121 attendees—most of whom represented various departments at Zimplats. The event enabled 35 exhibiting companies to begin meaningful conversations with local stakeholders.
“While the expos were small and intimate, their impact was significant. They laid the groundwork for strong future relationships,” said Macnamara.
2025: Bigger Reach, Bigger Expectations
This year, MTE has extended invitations to multiple operations within a 150km radius of the exhibition venues, including Karo Platinum, a new low-cost open-pit PGM operation under development along the Great Dyke. With over 25 exhibitors already confirmed as of May 2025, the tour is expected to be even more successful than last year.
“These expos go beyond product showcases—they’re about building lasting business relationships,” Macnamara concluded. “We’re excited to return to Zimbabwe and build on the momentum.”
