Harare — The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe is seeking partnerships with mining companies for the development of the new National Mining Museum in Kwekwe.

The mining museum depicts through mining antiquarian, the history of the old mining industry from the earliest times to date and is the sole survivor of three such buildings constructed in 1895.

The NMMZ, which is already working with the National Mining Museum of Wales, is appealing for help in obtaining artifacts or objects such as work-wear, tools and small objects or a mining house for display in the museum.

It is also seeking technical advice and expertise in the form of information and people who can talk to and walk the public through the galleries.

Since the design and the feel of the galleries and displays will be inspired by mine sites, the NMMZ welcomes help in form of building crews.

The mines were and are still vibrant sources of cultural events and because of this, the museum is seeking companies to help with planning events to show various forms of dances which originated from the mining communities.

Companies that are keen to help financially can do so either by funding a competition for the design of a sculpture of a miner, designing a dance area or a funding a volunteer programme.

There are also plans to open a trust account for funds earmarked for identified projects.

The NMMZ hopes to attract partnerships with institutions like the National Gallery of Zimbabwe for the running of events and art competitions, which offer artists excellent opportunities for depicting mining in the history of Zimbabwe.

It also hopes to create relationships that enable the museum to organise outreach programmes to mine schools as well as generate debate through a forum.