By Thembelani Moyo,
ZiMining News Editor
Youth organizations EntreVision and Core Miners Association will host a business seminar to encourage young people to take advantage of opportunities in the mining industry. The “Business Opportunities in Mining Seminar” will be held on January 25th, 2020 at the Zimbabwe School of Mines in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city. More than 500 active and aspiring miners, entrepreneurs, stakeholders, and students are expected to attend the seminar.
The seminar will focus on “Creating a Foundation for Young Entrepreneurial Growth Through Opportunity Awareness,” and will discuss the importance of consultancy, modern technology, and digitization in the mining industry. Additionally, the seminar will focus on the potential for local entrepreneurs to build and sustain a local supply chain, and opportunities in the beneficiation sector.
EntreVision President Denzel Chimene said the theme was chosen after realizing that local young entrepreneurs were not active in the mining industry. “So we saw the need of revealing the opportunities in the industry,” he said. Core Miners Association President Cannie Saurombe added that mining is a broad industry that requires extensive exploitation in order for everyone to enjoy a slice of the big cake.
One area that entrepreneurs can take advantage of is the mining industry’s weak supply chain that relies heavily on imports to satisfy demand. “Most mining consumables are imported from countries such as China and Australia. We are among the most literate nations, but [how] are we applying that literacy when we are still an importing nation? Entrepreneurs have to build and sustain a local supply chain,” said Chimene.
Chimene also noted opportunities in the beneficiation sector, where minerals such as chrome and lithium are exported semi-processed. He said youths can collaborate to research and be involved in mineral beneficiation. “During the period January-July, 2019, 64% of exports were minerals, [and] 56% of the mining exports were semi-processed. This highlights that we are still a long way to go. To ensure we meet the 2023 vision, mineral beneficiation is a necessity,” he said.
Zimbabwe recently announced its ambitions to transform the mining industry to a lucrative $12 billion industry by 2023; however, mining industry commentators say the target will be a Sisyphean task for the government to achieve because the industry faces myriad challenges. The seminar will aim to educate and inspire young entrepreneurs to take part in the mining industry and help drive the country’s economy.
