- Women miners will meet in Bulawayo on Thursday for the ZASWMA Women in Mining Conference during Mine Entra 2026.
- The conference will focus on access to finance, AI, technology, markets, value addition and safer mining.
- ZASWMA says the event will help women miners learn, build business links and connect with government and industry leaders.
WOMEN miners will meet in Bulawayo on Thursday for a conference focused on access to finance, technology, markets and safer working conditions in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
The Women in Mining Conference 2026 is being hosted by the Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small-Scale Women Miners Association (ZASWMA) as a side event of Mine Entra.
The one-day conference will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tea Room at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds, according to ZASWMA.
The conference will be held under the theme “Empowering Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Through Financial Inclusion, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Technology, Market Access and ESG for Sustainable Growth.”
ZASWMA said the conference would give women miners a chance to learn, build business connections and discuss the future of the sector.
The programme will cover access to finance, AI and digital technology, environmental, social and governance issues, market access, value addition, occupational health and safety, and networking.
The focus on finance reflects a long-standing challenge for women in artisanal and small-scale mining.
Blessing Hungwe-Nharara, a Zimbabwean small-scale miner and women’s mining advocate, told the World Bank in 2025 that access to finance remained a major challenge for women in the sector. She also pointed to mercury use, harassment, stigma and difficulties around mining titles as other problems facing women miners.
The World Bank has also identified gender discrimination, poor working conditions, limited social protection and safety risks as barriers facing women in artisanal and small-scale mining in many countries.
AI and digital technology will also feature at the conference, although ZASWMA has not publicly detailed which specific AI tools or applications will be discussed.
The conference will also discuss sustainable mining practices and ESG issues.
ZASWMA said the programme would look at ways to help women miners improve their businesses and take part in a more sustainable mining sector.
Occupational health and safety will be another focus.
The World Bank has warned that women in artisanal and small-scale mining face specific health and safety risks, including poor working conditions and limited access to sanitation and social protection.
ZASWMA said the conference would also create space for women miners to meet government officials, industry leaders and development partners.
The association said these connections could help women learn about available opportunities, build business relationships and find support for their mining operations.
“Mine Entra is our space. Let’s show up, learn, connect, and build a stronger future for women in mining,” ZASWMA said.
The association is also running an exhibition stand at Mine Entra from July 29 to 31, where visitors can learn about its programmes, membership, products and services.
Mine Entra 2026 is running from July 29 to 31 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo.
