President of Zanzibar Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi is expected to open the ninth National Mining Technology Exhibition in Geita on Sunday, as the government seeks to promote technology use and strengthen linkages across the country's mineral value chain.
The exhibition, which runs from September 27 to October 3, will bring together 765 participants from the public and private sectors, including miners, entrepreneurs, financial institutions and suppliers of mining technology and equipment.
Geita Regional Commissioner Alexander Mnyeti said on Saturday that preparations for the exhibition had been completed, adding that Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba is expected to close the event on October 3.
This year's exhibition is being held under the theme: “Minerals are Wealth: Let Us Work Together to Achieve the National Vision 2050.”
Mr Mnyeti said the participants represent different stages of the mineral value chain and sectors linked to mining.
They include 15 mining companies, 41 public institutions, 599 entrepreneurs, 52 small-scale miners, youth and people with special needs, seven financial institutions and 11 companies supplying exploration and mining equipment.
The exhibition will also feature 29 food and beverage service providers, five security companies, five children's sports and entertainment providers and a representative from the wildlife sector.
Mr Mnyeti said the event was designed to bring together key players in mining, including mineral producers, technology suppliers, miners, processors and traders.
“The exhibition seeks to bring together all stakeholders across the mineral value chain, including producers, suppliers and sellers of technology, as well as miners, processors and mineral traders,” he said.
He said one of the main objectives was to increase the adoption of appropriate technology in mineral exploration, mining and processing, with the broader aim of increasing the sector's contribution to the national economy.
The exhibition will also provide a platform for miners to engage government institutions