CBM-TEC dates and venue confirmed for 2016

Industry heavyweights will once again be making their way to the heart of the Zambian mining region to be part of the Copperbelt Mining Trade Expo and Conference (CBM-TEC). As Zambia’s premier networking event for international and regional companies that operate within the country’s mineral rich Copperbelt region, the expo will be hosted at the Kitwe Showgrounds from 12-13 May 2016. “The 2016 show will be the third edition of CBM-TEC and follows on from a positive response received from all stakeholders involved in the previous two shows,” says Nicole Smith, event director of the annual Copperbelt Mining Trade Expo & Conference (CBM-TEC). .

“The show dates have been confirmed from 12 to 13 May 2016,” says Smith, “and the expo will take place at the Kitwe Showgrounds. It was necessary to find a new venue to accommodate CBM-TEC as the expo has grown and this is the reason we will be using the Showgrounds in a way never seen before. Additional space was needed for exhibitors to showcase large equipment and provide product demonstrations and for us to also provide more technical workshops and other initiatives we have planned. The new venue is perfect for this.” CBM-TEC is a professional attendance mining technical supplies and equipment trade expo for the Copperbelt region, hosted exclusively within the Copperbelt. As one of Africa’s two largest copper producers, mining in Zambia has contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth.

Forecasts had indicated that mining volumes could continue to increase at around 15% per annum through to 2016, but this was before metal prices hit five and a half year lows earlier this year, negatively affecting over half of Zambia’s copper producers. Some relief has been felt with the setting of the royalty tax rate for open cast and underground mining at 9% by the Zambian government, reversing earlier plans to charge as much as 20%, which has sent a good signal to investors. “We remain convinced that Zambia is an attractive mining destination with good support and participation from government who has shown an understanding of the needs of investors and operators,” says Smith.

“The annual Copperbelt Mining Trade Expo & Conference (CBM-TEC) is well positioned to provide a platform to stimulate trade in the mining and industrial sectors in the Copperbelt region and for decision makers and professionals to use the trade show to network, exchange ideas, share information and develop partnerships.” “We understand that it’s tough times at the moment and that mining companies need to be prudent and to find solutions that are really cost effective to maximise output,” says Smith. “There is a need to reduce operational spend and to focus on streamlining operations for maximum benefit.

That’s why the expo will be so important next year. It offers an opportunity to showcase current and developing technologies, new products, equipment and machinery, and the latest systems and services which will help meet these operational and business needs.” The product focus of CBM-TEC is leading-edge mining and related products; industrial, engineering and manufacturing; energy; electrical engineering; materials handling; safety, health and environment; and construction. Exhibitors at the show will have the opportunity to network with key decision-makers from these sectors, position their company brand, grow their client base, and launch new products and services directly to their target market.

“This year’s CBM-TEC in May was a great success,” says Smith, “with a 10% increase in visitor numbers, 22% new exhibitors and a 25% increase in stand space. The show was endorsed by the Chamber of Mines Zambia and the Zambian Association of Manufacturers, with the CBM-TEC two-day conference being officially opened by the Zambian Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development, the Hon. Christopher Yaluma. Additional support of the expo came from the Association of Zambian Mineral Exploration Companies (AZMEC) and the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce.” “Exhibitors were positive about survey feedback which indicated that 84% of visitors had purchasing authority, 35.4% attended to source new products and services, and 33.4% were there to learn about the latest trends and technologies. We have successfully demonstrated that we can deliver a world-class event in a challenging geographical location and, as a mining industry business platform, CBM-TEC is here to stay,” concluded Smith.

At this year’s event, Jackson Sikamo, President of the Zambia Chamber of Mines and who chaired the keynote session of the CBM-TEC two-day conference, said that “the conference presentations were relevant and timely and that the quality of the exhibition and diversity of products and services was very pleasing.” Matthew Damhuis of Impulse International applauded the “great organisation of the event and opportunities to meet and hear from the industry key players.” Chester Mwanda of Techfields Limited described the event “as a great opportunity to showcase our capabilities and to find new customers.”

Expectations are that the CBM-TEC 2016 will attract over 110 exhibitors, more than 1500 visitors, in excess of 100 conference delegates and host to 40 plus top industry speakers. 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.

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