The Zimbabwe National Institute of Rock Engineering (ZINIRE) will hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Annual Symposium in Victoria Falls on 23 October, with the gathering set to focus on the use of technology to strengthen fall-of-ground management in the mining sector, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The symposium, to be held at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, will run under the theme “Leveraging Technology for Next Generation Fall of Ground Management”, bringing together professionals involved in rock engineering, mining operations, geology, surveying and safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ).
Fall-of-ground incidents remain a key operational and safety concern in underground and open-pit mining, making ground control an important component of mine planning, design and production.
The symposium is expected to provide a platform for mining professionals to exchange technical knowledge and examine how emerging technologies can be applied to improve ground stability monitoring, risk assessment and mine safety.
Participants are expected to include mine managers, rock mechanics technicians, geologists, mine surveyors, SHEQ practitioners, mine planners and other professionals involved in mining and ground-control activities.
ZINIRE has also opened a call for technical papers ahead of the symposium, inviting professionals and researchers to submit work addressing developments and practical challenges in fall-of-ground management.
The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2026, with technical papers to be submitted to Patrick Mushangwe or Omberai Mandingaisa.
The institute has also scheduled a Map3D training session for 22 October, although the programme is still to be confirmed, while a tour of Victoria Falls is planned for 24 October as part of the post-symposium programme.
Registration for the symposium is US$150, while students will attend free of charge, according to ZINIRE.
The institute is also inviting companies and organisations to support the event through sponsorship packages ranging from US$500 for Bronze sponsorship to US$2,500 and above for Platinum sponsorship. Presentations are available to sponsors from the Silver package upwards.
The event comes as Zimbabwe’s mining industry continues to place greater emphasis on improving safety, technical capacity and the adoption of technology across mining operations.
Registration and further information are available through ZINIRE, while sponsorship enquiries can be directed to Freddy Chikwiri, Ambition Mubvumbi or Abercon Mbedzi.
