International companies attending the Zimbabwe National Institute of Rock Engineering (ZINIRE) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium at the School of Mines in Bulawayo on Saturday commended the institute for offering a platform that effectively showcases their products in Zimbabwe.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Nine international companies attended the ZINIRE AGM and Symposium, making it one of the most significant mining gatherings attended by international companies in Zimbabwe.
The companies also appreciated ZINIRE for highlighting notable solutions needed to ensure the continued growth of the rock mechanical engineering sector.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the ZINIRE AGM and Symposium, Vincent De Lange from Elbroc Mining Products said the ZINIRE event offers a chance for networking and enables international companies to establish a footprint in Zimbabwe’s rock engineering solutions industry.
“The main benefit for me is meeting old friends from Zimbabwe, including rock engineers, mine managers, and suppliers. In mining, relationships are crucial. Without them, you’ll never survive.
“We need to re-establish our footprint as Elbroc Mining Products in Zimbabwe because we have the best products in the market when it comes to hydraulic props, which we manufacture in South Africa. We belong to the Royal Bafokeng Holdings Group,” Vincent said.
Keagan Carlisle of Groundwork Consulting, also speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, said the AGM has benefited his company by identifying the solutions needed in Zimbabwe’s mining industry and how it can break into the market.
“It gives us a chance to get exposure to what’s happening here in Zimbabwe. It gives us a chance to get a feel for what the mining companies here in Zimbabwe are doing, understanding their needs and wants. So yeah, it is absolutely valuable for us to be here,” he said.
Mr. Frans Cronje, Export Sales Manager for RSC Ekusasa Mining, said the ZINIRE AGM has always been fruitful, and his company has been attending for several years.
“It was a very fruitful meeting in Zimbabwe. I’ve been coming here for many years, and I think suppliers need to support this function and this fraternity. Yes, if I get the opportunity to come again, I will,” he said.