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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has set November 5 and 6 as the new dates for a semi-precious stones convention which is expected to be opened by President Mnangagwa.

The two-day indaba was supposed to run from September 10-11, but was postponed after the death of former president Robert Mugabe last month.

In a statement, ZMF Spokesperson Mr Dosman Mangisi said Government through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development had confirmed the President’s availability at the convention meant to discus and unlock potential in the gemstone and base minerals.

“We are happy to announce new dates for our indaba which will also serve as our AGM and a platform for stakeholders in the mining sector to exhibit,” he said.

“We are aware that the indaba was postponed due to the death of former president Mugabe, but we are glad that we have agreed with Government through relevant authorities that the indaba be held on the said dates,” said Mr Mangisi.

He said the venue of the indaba remains Gweru Business Conference Centre as previously scheduled.

He urged members and stakeholders to start registering for the conference.

Other speakers expected to address the indaba are Mines and Mineral Development Minister Winston Chitando, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube.

Mr Mangisi said the meeting will bring together players in the mining sector to try and unlock value in the undermined base minerals.

“This is a great convention that comes at a time when Government is trying to unlock potential value in the base minerals. Great minds will come together for two days to try and see how best the country can benefit from the resources that are vast in the country, but not fully utilised,” he said.

The indaba also comes at a time when Government was trying to formalise small scale and artisanal miners in a bid to improve gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers.

“Artisanal miners are the major contributors to the gold output to Fidelity. So the meeting will not focus only gemstones, but also how to improve gold deliveries as we seek to achieve our set target of 40 tonnes by end of year. In general, the indaba will look at how to improve the mining sector,” he said.