By Sharon Mdaka
Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE) is set to make a grand return to Zambia with its three combo tours this September, by bringing practical on-site solutions to the Zambian mining industry, which continues to grow amid a surge in commodity output such as copper and demand for energy-transition minerals.
The high-impact travelling exhibition company will host its shows within the three major mining destinations in Zambia. On 28 September 2026, MTE will be in Kalumbila, then Solwezi on 30 September 2026 and Kitwe on 2 October 2026. Through these expos, suppliers and industry professionals will have an opportunity to network face-to-face and hold discussions around daily operational challenges and mining solutions.
Mining in this country continues to show favourable results, as shown by the increase in investor confidence due to its stable and progressive government policies, according to its government. The country continues to position itself as one of the strategic mining destinations in Africa as global demand for copper accelerates due to electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, artificial intelligence and defence technologies.
During the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema described mining as central to revitalising Africa’s economy, highlighting Zambia’s efforts to create regulatory certainty, attract investment and modernise its mining sector.
In support of this sector and country, MTE will bring technical buyers and suppliers directly to the regions and industrial operations. By utilising travelling expos, MTE removes logistical barriers for decision-makers and focuses on practical, on-site solutions that enhance safety, efficiency and productivity.
Based on the MTE’s 2026 events calendar, the Zambia combo remains one of the company’s flagship over-border exhibition series within the SADC region. The format allows exhibitors to maximise exposure across several mining hubs in a single trip while benefiting from operational and logistical efficiencies.
The first stop on the tour, Kalumbila, has become one of Zambia’s most important copper-producing regions. The area is home to the Sentinel Mine, operated by First Quantum Minerals, which ranks among the world’s large copper reserves. The open-pit operation is one of the biggest contributors to the economic activity in Zambia’s northwestern province.
MTE’s Solwezi expo follows two days later in another expanding mining centre. Solwezi has experienced substantial industrial growth due to mining investment and remains closely linked to Kansanshi Mine, one of Africa’s largest copper producers. The region continues to attract suppliers focused on plant maintenance, productivity optimisation, automation and operational safety solutions.
The final leg of the trilogy takes exhibitors to Kitwe, a long-established mining hub in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. The city serves as a base for several major mining operations, including Mopani Copper Mines and other copper and cobalt producers. Historically, the Kitwe exhibition has drawn strong attendance from management teams, engineers and procurement decision-makers across multiple disciplines.
Previous Zambia combo tours have showcased a great participation level and increasing industry demand. MTE reported record engagement during earlier trilogy tours, with Kalumbila, Solwezi and Kitwe attracting hundreds of visitors and dozens of exhibitors focused on technologies and services tailored to copper mining operations.
The exhibitions are expected to attract suppliers specialising in fuel management systems, mill liners, bearings, filtration technologies, industrial lighting, survey equipment, safety technologies and mining maintenance solutions. As Zambia pushes towards higher copper production targets and increased beneficiation ambitions, demand for operational efficiencies and technology-driven solutions is expected to intensify.
Hichilema also stated at Mining Indaba that Zambia was targeting medium-term copper production of three million tonnes annually, supported by the more than USD12-billion in new foreign investment since 2022. He also added that the government is completing its first high-resolution geophysical survey in 50 years, to derisk exploration for miners and streamline mining approval processes.
For visitors, there will be an opportunity to engage with a variety of stands and explore interactive demonstrations, and witness the latest innovative safety and cost-saving showcases that help boost productivity within mine operations. During his speech at the Mining Indaba, Hichilema also emphasised the importance of collaboration and beneficiation strategies that move beyond simply exporting raw materials.
For MTE, the Zambia trilogy represents more than a travelling expo series. It serves as a strategic networking platform within one of Africa’s fastest-growing copper corridors, connecting mining operations with suppliers capable of supporting productivity, safety and long-term sector growth.