By: Herald online

While global mining giants dominate headlines, it is the small-scale miner, often working with rudimentary tools in remote locations, who forms the indispensable heartbeat of the global mineral supply chain. From the gold panners of Insiza to the gemstone diggers of Mutoko, these individuals are pivotal to both local livelihoods and the worldwide clean energy transition.

The contribution of this sector is monumental. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) accounts for nearly 20% of the world's gold and significant portions of critical minerals like cobalt, tin, and lithium. In Zimbabwe, this reality is even more pronounced. The sector employs over 300,000 people and has become the country's leading source of gold, making it a cornerstone of national economic resilience and a critical earner of foreign currency.

Bridging the Gap: The Mine Entra Initiative

Despite their immense contribution, small-scale miners face profound challenges, including limited access to capital, outdated technology, and a lack of formal recognition. This is where Mine Entra plays a transformative role.

Established in 1995, the Mine Entra Expo has evolved into Zimbabwe's premier platform for fostering innovation and collaboration in the mining, engineering, and transport sectors. Organised in partnership with key government and industry bodies, it acts as a vital bridge, connecting informal miners with the formal economy.

Under the 2025 theme, “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining,” the event is advancing crucial conversations on formalisation, sustainable practices, and inclusive growth.

A Catalyst for Growth and Formalisation

For miners on the ground, Mine Entra is a lifeline. Payne Kupfuwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Young Miners Foundation, confirmed its impact: “Most of the developments that happened within the small-scale miners’ community are benefits from Mine Entra, where we have been able to get affordable supplies, investors, and key services.”

The expo provides a unique ecosystem where a miner from Gwanda can meet an international supplier or a Harare-based policymaker, translating ideas into tangible partnerships. It has also helped miners diversify into new mineral frontiers like gemstones, lithium, and chrome, aligning Zimbabwe's output with soaring global demand.

A key component is the dedicated Small-Scale and Artisanal Miners Conference, which gives the sector a powerful voice. According to Wellington Takavarasha, CEO of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, the conference creates a “collaborative ecosystem that drives formalisation, modernisation, and sustainable development,” bringing together regulators, financiers, and miners to devise actionable growth strategies.

Synergy for National Development

The benefits of formalisation are clear for the government: a widened tax base, improved environmental stewardship, and better-coordinated support for miners. Mine Entra 2025 is deliberately held alongside the Africa Infrastructure Built Environment Conference (AfriConfex) to foster synergy between the mining and construction sectors, which rely on similar technologies and equipment.

This collaborative approach underscores a fundamental shift. For Zimbabwe and other resource-rich nations, the future of mining is no longer just about extraction. It is about building a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive industry where the small-scale miner is not a spectator, but a key architect of a new economic paradigm. Through platforms like Mine Entra, miners equipped with little more than pickaxes today are empowered to dig a foundation for a more prosperous and sustainable tomorrow.