The Zimbabwe Prospectors Association (ZPA) has won the Best Mining Sector Stand award at the 2026 Manicaland Agricultural Show, following its joint exhibition with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s Manicaland Provincial Mining Office, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The award was presented by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. Misheck Mugadza, recognising the mining exhibition during the provincial agricultural show.
The ZPA was represented at the exhibition by its Secretary, Antonio Antonio, and Treasurer, Trevor Nyamayaro, who participated alongside officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s Manicaland Provincial Mining Office, led by Provincial Mining Director Eng. Sibongubuhle Mpindiwa.
The 2026 Manicaland Agricultural Show was held under the theme, “Innovate, Unlock & Sustain Economic Growth,” bringing together exhibitors from different sectors to showcase products, services and opportunities linked to the province’s economic development.
For the mining sector, the exhibition provided an opportunity to highlight the role of prospecting in identifying mineral deposits and establishing the foundation for future mining projects.
Under Zimbabwe’s Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05], approved prospectors are legally recognised to undertake prospecting and pegging activities in accordance with the country’s mining laws.
Their responsibilities include searching for minerals, pegging mining ground, representing holders of prospecting rights and ensuring that prospecting activities comply with prescribed legal procedures.
Approved prospectors also play an important role in correctly identifying mining boundaries and following the required procedures when ground is pegged, helping to reduce the potential for disputes arising from overlapping claims or incorrectly identified mining areas.
The joint exhibition by the ZPA and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development therefore provided an opportunity to explain the relationship between professional prospecting, mining administration and the development of mineral resources.
The presence of the provincial mining office also brought the Government’s regulatory and administrative role closer to members of the public, businesses and other stakeholders attending the agricultural show.
Manicaland has a significant mineral resource base, making mineral exploration an important part of the province’s mining development prospects.
For prospectors, exhibitions such as the Manicaland Agricultural Show provide a platform to raise awareness of the legal and technical processes involved in mineral exploration while demonstrating the role of prospecting in the wider mining value chain.
The Best Mining Sector Stand award gives further recognition to the prospecting profession and its contribution to the identification and development of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources.
