By Sharyn Macnamara
Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE) has differentiated its unique brand in the SADC region for over 30 years. MTE is characterised by its unique logo and yellow and orange tents. The company uses a tried-and-tested travelling exhibition concept utilising fully owned trucks, equipment and infrastructure, and direct interaction with mining and industrial operations.
Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE) uses a tried-and-tested travelling exhibition concept utilising fully owned trucks, equipment and infrastructure, and direct interaction with mining and industrial operations. Supplied by ©Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE)MTE, a standout industrial expo organiser
MTE organises 26-27 exhibitions annually across the SADC region, bringing relevant suppliers and new technologies to the doorsteps of operations, fostering strong relationships and offering discounts for multiple shows in a single region. Andrew Macnamara (Andrew) talks to MTE’s partner publication, African Mining, incorporating Mining Mirror (AM) about the company’s focus on reliable, high-impact, short-duration expos which minimise disruption to mining and industrial operations and maximise the dissemination of relevant, solutions-driven information that drives operational safety, efficiencies and sustainability. Anticipating a stable year in the mining industry in 2025, MTE plans to enhance its offerings based on feedback from suppliers and visitors alike, aiming to provide more value to the mining industry, among others.
AM: When it comes to the MTE brand, how is MTE different to similar service providers in the industry?
Andrew: The industry knows our Tavelling Mining and Technical Exhibitions by its logo, characterised by the orange rising sun, and our company owned, unique yellow and orange tents. We own our equipment and infrastructure, including our branded trucks, which enable us to set up an expo of any size, at any time, anywhere. We differentiate ourselves in that we interact directly with the visitor – the mining and industrial operations – far in advance of our events, obtaining operational intel and requirements and buy-in from management ahead of the event to bring relevant suppliers and tech to the events. This secures ‘the feet’ ahead of time directly impacting the success of our exhibitors. Our long-standing relationships with mining operations based on years of interaction secures facetime with the decision makers on the day.
Furthermore, our long-standing, consistent team with over 70 years of combined industry experience and our strong media backing add to MTE’s industry impact. Partnering with African Mining, incorporating Mining Mirror – a fully-entrenched trade and technical brand on the African continent – enables MTE’s boots on the ground. Together the two media platforms can cover important industry topics, providing solutions to industry challenges.
AM: What are the different types of MTE expos on offer?
Andrew: Originally, we created smaller, intimate expos on mine property, catering to a specific operation’s needs. As the business evolved, MTE progressed and targeted larger mining areas – like the eastern and western limbs in South Africa – with more general industrial or commodity specific expos, enabling bigger expos with up to 180 suppliers exhibiting to a much larger audience and number of operations at the event.
The MTE concept then evolved further, and we started offering combo and trilogy shows in the outlying areas and over border mining regions to mitigate expense for suppliers and to make the solutions-driven concept more accessible to operations in the more rural areas. Our combo and trilogy tours like the Northern Cape Tour emerged, offering two and three shows in a single week.
By organising more shows in a week, MTE can reduce operating costs. These savings are then passed on to the supplier who can purchase more shows for less and reduce their own resource cost by running more than one stand in a week. This kind of show is particularly popular when it comes to our over-border expos in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The high-impact, 4–5-hour expo, in turn, offers relevant content for visitors while minimising travel time and time away from the operations, which is always time conscious and production driven.
An exhibitor’s checklist in selecting a professional exhibition organiser to partner with. Supplied by ©Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE)
AM: Your next annual trilogy tour will be in Botswana – what will the focus be there?
Andrew: MTE will host its popular Letlhakane, Palapye and Jwaneng expos on 10, 12 and 14 March respectively in the mining and power sectors. Botswana projects in the pipeline like the Jwaneng Expansion Project (with Debswana’s approved USD1-billion investment to convert the Jwaneng diamond mine from open-pit to underground operations); the underground expansion project at Karowe Diamond Mine in Letlhakane; and coal projects like the Mmamabula West Project in the Palapye are attracting particular interest now.
AM: What do you believe 2025 holds for MTE and its support base?
Andrew: MTE has conducted a brand construct exercise, incorporating feedback from both mining operations and exhibitors to improve our product and service. In the coming months, we plan to add new elements to our offering, focusing areas of delivery beyond engineering, such as processing and beneficiation. The goal is to provide a better experience for visitors and exhibitors, ensuring high value and continuous improvement. MTE remains proactive, always looking for opportunities and acting on feedback to stay ahead in the industry.
Contact Andrew on +27 (0) 82 720 0083 or andrew@interactmedia.co.za