CBM-TEC Here to Stay – Says Zambian Mining Expo Director

Lusaka, Zambia, July 09, 2015 --(PR.com)-- "Sponsoring the Zambian Mining Woman of the Year and Mining Personality of the Year at the Chamber of Mines of Zambia’s inaugural awards we are showing that CBM-TEC is here to stay and part of this country’s mining growth and future,” so says Nicole Smith, event director of the annual Copperbelt Mining Trade Expo & Conference (CBM-TEC) hosted exclusively within the city of Kitwe on the Copperbelt.

CBM sponsored the following categories at the awards that took place in Lusaka last month:

· Mining Woman of the Year, 2014: this was awarded to Wamunyima Mahalihali, Chibuluma Mines Plc
· Mining Personality of the Year, 2014: Felix Sikaonga, Konkola Copper Mines Plc

Zambian mining is expanding
The second Copperbelt Mining Trade Expo & Conference (CBM-TEC), that took place in Kitwe in May, showed a 67% growth in new visitors and “this could not have happened without the support, vision and partnership of the Chamber of Mines of Zambia,” says Nicole. In total the event hosted 1449 visitors, more than 90 conference delegates were addressed by 34 speakers while more than 120 exhibitors showcased their products and services.

The CBM-TEC director adds: “this is confirmation that Zambian mining is expanding and our Copperbelt Mining Trade Expo & Conference is at the forefront. Despite the outlook for the copper industry being conservative in 2015, Zambian mining took centre stage and should remain the key driver of Zambian economic growth.”

CBM-TEC offered high-level engagement
This year’s expo saw several innovations, including an extended technical workshop hosted by the Zambian Association of Manufacturers. The CBM-TEC two-day conference offered high-level engagement and was opened by none other than the Hon. Christopher Yaluma, Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development.

‘‘The conference presentations were relevant and timely. The quality of the exhibition and diversity of products and services was very pleasing,” said Jackson Sikamo, President, Chamber of Mines, Zambia who chaired the keynote session.

Other leading speakers at CBM-TEC included:
- John Chiwele, Chief Financial Officer, Mopani Copper Mines, Zambia
- David Patterson, Vice-President, Local Economic Development, Konkola Copper Mines, Zambia
- Basil Nundwe, Chief Executive Officer, Scaw Ltd, Zambia
- Owen Silavwe, Managing Director, CEC, Zambia
- Chai Zhijing, Economic and Commercial Councillor, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Zambia
- Geoffrey Mulenga, Country Manager, Blackthorn Resources, Zambia

Strong industry support
Once again the event enjoyed strong industry support, apart from the endorsement by the Zambia Chamber of Mines and the Zambian Association of Manufacturers, the Association of Zambian Mineral Exploration Companies (AZMEC) and the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry were also supporters.

Sandvik Mining returned for the second time as platinum sponsor for the event, Barloworld Equipment and ZCCM-IH were gold sponsors with Schlumberger Airlift signing up as a silver sponsor. Other big names on the expo floor included: Murray & Roberts, Manitou Group, Atlas Copco and Tri- Pump Engineering Ltd.

In association with the Electra Mining Africa exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa, CBM-TEC is organised jointly by Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery and Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.