The 2024 Mining Expo & Conference, hosted by the Chamber of Mines, set new records for exhibitor participation, visitor numbers, and conference attendance. It is now regarded as the largest commercial show in Namibia, reflecting the growing interest in the mining sector and the perception of significant commercial opportunities.

A highlight of the event was the official opening, led by The Hon. Vice President, Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. In her address, she underscored the mining industry’s significance to the Namibian economy and emphasised its increasing role in the nation’s sustainable development.

Exhibitor numbers increased from 168 in 2023 to 196 in 2024, representing a 16.6% increase. Similarly, the number of occupied booths increased by 16.7%, from 268 in 2023 to 313 in 2024. This surge in demand led to the utilization of the entire available hall space at the Windhoek Show Grounds for the first time. The Makalani Hall, traditionally used for the conference, was instead used to cater for the additional booth space, with an executive tent set up for the conference and official proceedings.

Visitor numbers also saw a significant increase, rising from 5,943 in 2023 to 7,831 in 2024, which is a 31.7% growth. The 2024 Mining Conference, with the theme “Green Shoots for Namibia’s Mining Industry: a Season of Opportunity and Growth to Drive Economic Expansion,” drew a diverse audience, including government officials, aspiring students, professionals, the general public, and exhibitors.

In response to repeated requests from exhibitors and key stakeholders, the Chamber of Mines has decided to extend the event to three days next year, from the 5th to 7th of August 2025 at the Windhoek Show Grounds. This extension will allow exhibitors more time for business-to-business networking, marketing their products and services, and benefiting from the additional platforms the event offers, such as the Supplier’s platform and the Mining Conference.

This growth paints a picture of a healthy industry, with participants and visitors viewing the Mining Expo as the key platform to explore commercial opportunities and learn about mining in Namibia. This is a true reflection that the Mining Expo & Conference is achieving its objectives.

The Chamber team looks forward to hosting the industry next year from the 5th to 7th August 2025 at the Windhoek Show Grounds. For more information, please visit https://miningexponamibia.com/