Zimbabwe will host its inaugural Gemstone Conference and Fair from the 22nd to the 24th of October at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), bringing together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to deliberate on innovations in gemstone mining, processing and trade, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The event, organised by the Zimbabwe School of Mines in partnership with the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe and other stakeholders, is expected to attract miners, traders, researchers, policymakers, and investors with a keen interest in the gemstone industry.
According to the organisers, the conference will feature exhibition stands, panel discussions, networking sessions, and a gemstones fashion show and dinner. The fair is designed to provide a platform for knowledge exchange while exploring sustainable mining practices, value addition and improved access to markets.
The conference comes at a time when Zimbabwe is making deliberate efforts to diversify its mining sector and unlock value from resources beyond the traditional gold and platinum industries. The gemstone sector has long been dominated by artisanal and small-scale miners, and the event is seen as a timely opportunity to formalise, professionalise and grow the industry.
Target participants include artisanal miners, gemstone traders and exporters, academics, regulators, investors, and enthusiasts. Early registration fees have been set at US$350, with late registration pegged at US$450, while exhibitors will pay US$500.
Abstract submissions are already closed, with the deadline 2 June 2025, while full paper submissions are due by 29 August 2025. The organisers expect strong participation from regional and international players given the increasing demand for coloured gemstones on global markets.
Zimbabwe’s first Gemstone Conference and Fair is anticipated to set the tone for a new chapter in the country’s mining landscape, creating opportunities for beneficiation, job creation and foreign currency earnings.
Rudairo Dickson Mapuranga
Mining Journalist
Media Practitioner
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