Mr Baxter was appointed CEO of the Minerals Council in 2015. He has 29 years of high-level advocacy and strategy experience in the business and mining sectors. He was involved in the first mineral policy discussions with the ANC in 1992 and in most of the significant minerals policy discussions since then.  He has participated in, and often led, the business negotiation teams on a range of issues such as the 2002 Mining Charter, the 1998 Energy Policy White Paper, the 1997 Skills Development Act, the 2009 Royalty Act, the 2010 revised Mining Charter, etc. He has participated in all the Presidential Job Summit and Investment Conferences, and he has played a leadership role in encouraging government to focus on the issues that drive South Africa’s investment competitiveness. He previously chaired the Business Unity South Africa’s (BUSA) Economic Policy Committee and Economic Growth Task Team. He is the Founding Chairman of the World Platinum Investment Council. He recently participated in President Ramaphosa’s 7-a-side NEDLAC leadership team looking at how to revive the economy post COVID-19. He has played a key leadership role in rejuvenating the brand of the Minerals Council and brings material leadership, governance, strategy, investment, and transformation skills to the table.

He is a member of the Minerals Council Board, the BUSA Board, the TEBA Fund Trust Board of Trustees and he chairs the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC). He is Chairman of the Associations Coordination Group of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and is the current Chairman of the Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa (MIASA). In 2020, Mr Baxter was the winner of the Mining Review Africa, 2020 Mining Thought Leader of the Year award. The article states “Fully committed to the mining industry and a person who pulls no punches when it comes to addressing pertinent matters. These words aptly describe Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter.” In 2018, Mr Baxter was awarded the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy’s (SAIMM) Brigadier Stokes Platinum medal for his contribution to the South African mining sector. Since the launch of the MiningMX “Rainmaker and Pot-stirrers” publication, Mr Baxter has been listed as one of Africa’s top 100 most influential people in the mining industry.

Ann Bernstein heads the Centre for Development and Enterprise, South Africa. CDE is regarded by many including the London Financial Times as the country’s leading policy centre for social and economic development. In addition, CDE has a special focus on the role of business and its contribution to development. Ann was a member of the Transition Team and then the Board of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (1994 – 2001). In 2005 she was a Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy, Washington DC. In 2007 she joined the Board of the Brenthurst Foundation. In 2008 and 2009 she was an invited faculty member at the World Economic Forum in Davos and participates in their Global Agenda Council’s Initiative. Her book, The Case for Business in Developing Economies was published by Penguin in 2010. She is a regular public speaker and has been published by newspapers around the country, often appearing on radio and TV. Her many other publications and books include Migration and Refugee Policies (with M. Weiner, London, 1999), Business and Democracy: Cohabitation or Contradiction? (with P.L. Berger, London, 1998), and Policy Making in A New Democracy: South Africa’s Challenges for the 21st century (CDE,1999).

Fay Cranmer has more than 30 years of industry knowledge, language, relationships and deep understanding of where the value lies and how to deliver transformational change in complex organisations.  Having lived in the UK, South Africa, Canada and now Australia, Fay has both extensive industry and consulting experience, including Global CIO of Rio Tinto, CIO of Suncor Energy and Senior Executive at Sasol. In 2021, Fay returned to Accenture as Senior Managing Director, Industry X Lead and Natural Resources Industry Lead for Growth Markets.  She leads a group of over 3000 professionals across 20+ countries with a passion for improving the sustainability, productivity and safety of our clients through the effective development and application of data, intelligence and digital technologies in the operating and manufacturing core of our client businesses = making practical the concepts of digital transformation where it matters most, reinventing the way we produce and transport goods as well as the products we make and the impact they have on the planet.

Mark is an experienced executive with more than 45 years leading high performance teams across all aspects of technical, commercial and social business functions.  He is a proven business leader with almost 30 years in "C Suite” roles in globally diversified businesses, and served for 18 years in 3 different Chief Executive roles.  He is a qualified mining engineer and has a practical working knowledge of most of the commodities produced and sold across the globe.  Most recently he was the Chief Executive of Anglo American, a UK FTSE 30 globally diversified mining company, working with 100,000 employees. In his 9+ years at the helm of Anglo American, Mark led a significant transformation in the performance of the company.  In addition to delivering industry-leading improvements in safety, health and environment, he also guided the organisation in doubling productivity across the business, driving an average annualised Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of 22% for those 9+ years.  This performance was the best of the major diversified miners over the same timeframe.  The business was also recognised for its leadership in new technology programmes through its “FutureSmart” programme, which also underpinned its leading working in sustainable business practices.

Prior to joining Anglo American, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer at AngloGold Ashanti based in South Africa, and before that he was the Chief Operating Officer for Inco and then Vale’s global Nickel business, based in Canada. Mark is currently employed as a non-executive director with 2 major industrial companies and is actively involved in private equity projects, while dedicating time to both charitable and industry professional representative organisations.

André de Ruyter is currently the Eskom Holdings Group Chief Executive (GCE), overseeing a 100% state-owned company of over 40,000 employees, responsible for providing over 95% of South Africa’s electricity needs and approximately 45% of the electricity used across Africa. Under André’s leadership, Eskom operates 30 power stations, including base-load coal and nuclear power stations, hydro, pumped storage and gas-fired peaking power stations as well as a self-dispatching wind farm. Eskom has a total nominal capacity of over 44,000MW, supported by a network consisting of almost 400,000km of high, medium and low-voltage lines and underground cables serving over 6,000,000 direct customers.

A seasoned executive, with a career spanning over 30 years, André has amassed a wealth of experience both locally and internationally in various portfolios in the energy space, including the management of coal, oil, chemical and gas businesses, the marketing of export coal to international utilities and managing operations of mega coal and gas conversion plants, including electricity generation. His experience and expertise traverses a range of disciplines, including: strategic leadership, sales, manufacturing, production, finance, legal & regulation, people management and socio-economic development. André holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands, a Bachelor of Law(LLB) obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA) as well as a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pretoria.

He was a member of the Sasol group executive committee from 2009 to 2014, and spent some time in China as President of China Ventures, also leading business turnaround and transformation in Germany. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Nampak in 2014, a position he left  when he accepted the Group Chief Executive role at Eskom, beginning in January 2020 When often asked why he accepted the leading role at the beleaguered energy utility, André has consistently maintained that he believes the importance of Eskom in driving economic growth and development should never be underestimated, and is humbled to take up the challenge of restoring Eskom’s value-add, credibility and reputation. Deeply passionate about employee  engagement, André has made a concerted effort to consistently connect with people across the business and share the vision of the Eskom “city on the hill” - re-invigorating, rejuvenating and redefining Eskom’s destiny to lead the energy transition into the future in a sustainable manner, as well as the importance of high performance culture amongst employees, to make this a reality.

Portia Derby is the current Group Chief Executive of Transnet SOC Ltd, appointed February 2020. She has occupied senior positions in the South African government during a period of major economic reform. Portia is the former Director-General of Public Enterprises (2005 - 2009) responsible for the corporate strategy and structure of the investment portfolio (2004 - 2005) and former Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Trade and Industry (2002). Portia’s career in government started at the National Institute for Economic Policy (NIEP), as a financial researcher where she played an integral role working on the quantification of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). Portia previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Metair Investments and Safcol. She has also worked in the private sector as an Executive Director: Clients Africa at Aurecon, an international engineering and infrastructure advisory company. Portia holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree (majoring in Economics and Geology), an Honour’s degree in Economics from the University of Natal, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Gideon du Plessis is the General Secretary of trade union Solidarity and the head of the Solidarity Strategy Institute. Prior to joining Solidarity, Gideon was employed by Compass Group PLC, as Group Employee Relations Manager: Africa. Gideon started his professional career in 1994 at the Department of Constitutional Development as a Senior Constitutional Planner and was mainly involved in conducting global constitutional research in support of the drafting of the South African Constitution. He obtained a Master of Arts degree in Labour Policy and Globalisation from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2019. Gideon is a Board Member of the State Diamond Trader and Sentinel Retirement Fund. He frequently writes opinion pieces for newspapers and business magazines. 

Sandra started her career as an academic, lecturing company and tax law at the University of the Free State, before joining Johannesburg Law Firm Brink Cohen le Roux & Roodt. It was here that she became involved in the South African mining industry, working first on the labour side of the business, before moving on to the corporate and commercial end of practice. Sandra has been with Standard Bank for just over ten years and focuses exclusively on African corporate finance transactions in mining and metals.

Nolitha Fakude serves as the Chairman of Anglo American’s Management Board: South Africa as well as a Group Director of Anglo American plc and President of the Minerals Council South Africa. Nolitha served as a non-executive director of the Board of Anglo American plc from April 2017 to August 2019. Fakude has worked in and held senior positions in various industries and sectors including Retail, Management Consulting, Financial Services, Mining and Oil and Gas. Until 2016, Nolitha served as an Executive Director at Sasol Limited as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability. Nolitha was elected as the first woman President of the Black Management Forum (2003-2006) and its Managing Director and she now serves as the Chairperson of the Council of Elders. Nolitha is Non-Executive Director of JSE Limited, Discovery Bank Holdings and International Woman’s Forum South Africa (IWFSA). She is a Patron of Guild Cottage home for girls. Her previous board roles include serving as Deputy Chair and Lead Independent Director of Datacentrix Holdings Limited, and as a non-executive director of Harmony Gold and Woolworths Holdings among others. Nolitha’s honorary accolated include the 2004 Most Influential Businesswoman by Financial Mail, Impala Platinum Young Entrepreneur Award and the National Honor by the Golden Key Society and University of Johannesburg. Nolitha is an author of a book titled, “Boardroom Dancing”, published in 2019.She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Psychology from the University of Fort Hare and completed the Senior Executive Programme at Harvard Business School in the United States.

Neal Froneman was appointed executive director and CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater on 1 January 2013. Over the past five years he has led the transformation of Sibanye-Stillwater from a 1.5Moz South African-based gold producer into a leading precious metals miner with an international operating footprint ranking among the world’s top three PGM producers. His career spans more than 30 years during which time he worked at Gold Fields of South Africa Limited, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) and JCI Limited. In April 2003, Neal was appointed CEO of Aflease Gold Limited (Aflease Gold), which, through a series of reverse take-overs, became Gold One International Limited (Gold One) in May 2009. He was primarily responsible for the creation of Uranium One Incorporated (Uranium One) from the Aflease Gold uranium assets. During this period, he was CEO of Aflease Gold and Uranium One until his resignation from Uranium One in February 2008. He held the CEO position at Gold One until his appointment at Sibanye-Stillwater. In May 2016, he was elected to serve as a Vice President of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa (now the Minerals Council South Africa).

Chris Griffith was appointed CEO of Gold Fields on 1 April 2021. Before this appointment, he was the CEO of Anglo American Platinum between September 2012 and April 2020 and CEO of Kumba Iron Ore from 2008 to 2012. Prior to that, he served as Anglo American’s Head of Operations for joint ventures. He joined Anglo American Platinum in 1990 and held various management positions at two of its mines before being moved into the wider leadership team at Anglo American. He holds a Mining Engineering Honours degree from the University of Pretoria.

Irvin Jim is the General Secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA). He is currently serving his third term as General Secretary, having been re-elected to serve the militant metalworkers in its December 2016 elective congress, following his first election in October 2008 and re-election in June 2012. After the negotiated settlement which led to the end of the Apartheid regime in 1994, Comrade Jim became the Regional Chairperson for NUMSA’s Eastern Cape region. He later served as the Regional Secretary. He was, at that time, the youngest member of the NUMSA Central Committee and remained in the regional leadership until his election to his position as General Secretary. He cut his political teeth as an anti-apartheid student activist in the 1980s and has also served in the leadership structures of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape. Under his leadership NUMSA continues to be a militant and principled left trade union. Its membership has grown to over 340,000, making it the biggest trade union in the history of South Africa.

ndré Joubert is a Mining Engineer. He is the Chief Executive of the Ferrous Division of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM). This division is responsible for the operational activities of Assmang, which is a 50/50 joint venture between African Rainbow Minerals and Assore, which are both listed companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. André is the Chairman of the Assmang Exco, The Chairman of the Sakura Board (Smelter in Malaysia) and an Executive Director of Assmang. In this position he is responsible for all operational, legal, strategic and growth related to the division’s Iron Ore mines, its Manganese mines and Manganese smelters. André Joined ARM in August of 2009 as Executive Operations in the Ferrous Division and was appointed to the Chief Executive position in July 2012. Prior to working at ARM he was the CEO at Hernic Ferrochrome in South Africa for two years and prior to that he worked for Anglo American Corporation for 25 years. André held various senior and executive operational positions within Anglo American’s gold and base metals divisions and also spent some time evaluating and designing mining projects. In total he accumulated 38 years of experience within the mining industry.  André studied at the University of Potchefstroom and graduated in 1981 with a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of Pretoria and in 1996 he obtained a MBA at the University of Stellenbosch.

Lucky Kgatle began his journey in the mining industry after obtaining his BSc in engineering in 2001. He went on to obtain his MBA in 2009. During his career in the industry, now spanning beyond two decades, he has thrived in leadership roles encompassing both operational and strategic elements and responsibilities which, most recently, positioned him as the Senior Vice President of Sasol Mining, a coal mining company with six mines producing approximately 40 million tons of thermal coal per annum, supplied to JSE-listed petrochemicals company Sasol Limited as well as the export market.  Lucky served on the boards of five Sasol-related companies and he has represented Sasol Mining in industry forums such as the Minerals Council of South Africa. Lucky’s commitment to positive and substantive transformation led to his roles in managing large transformational projects involving significant organisational complexity. His experience and leadership abilities also contributed to the successful navigation of Sasol Mining through periods of extreme volatility, uncertainty and extensive changes in the industrial environment including the commitment and transition to the pursuit of zero-harm and the zero-tolerance approach to occupational health and safety, prolonged unprotected labour disputes and most recently, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout his career, Lucky has been driven by a passion for innovation and business improvement and he has succeeded in building strong, sustainable partnerships. Lucky’s journey has now led him to the private sector where his experience, networks and practical know-how have culminated in the incorporation of Tlou Commodities Proprietary Limited (“Tlou”) and a partnership with the mining powerhouse Q Global Commodities Proprietary Limited (“QGC”), aimed at thriving in the local and international coal and other mineral supply chains. With the technical and financial support of QGC and its affiliates, coupled with Lucky’s extensive experience, Tlou is poised to become the true example of a black-owned mining start-up growing into an independent, proudly South African behemoth.

Andrew is a senior partner at Deloitte Africa, where he leads the Energy and Resources practice in Africa, the Monitor Deloitte corporate and business unit strategy capability and the CEO programme at the Deloitte Executive Institute. Andrews professional career spans 32 years – 14 in Industry, mainly in general management in industrial companies; and 18 in strategy and operational consulting. Andrew joined Deloitte as a Director following Deloitte’s acquisition of Monitor. He had joined Monitor as a partner, after being a partner and founding member of North Road Consulting. Andrew has led strategy, operational improvement, organization redesign and implementation projects in several industries. Andrew has specific expertise in energy, resources, aviation, logistics and manufacturing. His consulting experience spans operational turnarounds, performance improvement, and strategy development for private, listed and parastatal companies. His strategy expertise spans portfolio strategy, corporate and business unit strategy, growth strategy, and sustainability strategy. Prior to founding North Road Consulting, Andrew enjoyed a successful career at Bain & Company in Johannesburg and London. During this time he led client assignments in various industries, including mining, car rental, utilities, revenue collection, general industry and media.

Makgabo William Mabapa was elected as the NUM branch chairperson at Anglo Platinum Mogalakwena section in 1994 to 1995. In 1995 he was elected the branch secretary. In 1996 he was elected the full-time shop steward after the adoption of the first NUM Ten Year Plan at the 1996 National Congress held at Sinnodale, Pretoria to merge the branch secretary position and the full-time shop steward position. As a branch secretary/full-time shop steward, he also served as secretary for COSATU Local in Mokopane. In 1997 up until 2001 he was a branch secretary of the SACP at Molekane Village in Mogalakwena Local Municipality. In March 2002, at the 4th regional conference, he was elected as the Regional Secretary for North East Region until 2005. In 2005 at the 5th the regional conference, he was re-elected as the Regional Secretary until 2008. In 2008, at the 6th regional conference, he was re-elected as the Regional Secretary until 2011. In 2011 at the 7th regional conference, he was re-elected as the Regional Secretary until 2014. In 2014, at the 8th regional conference, he was re-elected as the Regional Secretary until 2015 when he was elected as the Deputy General Secretary at the 15th and 16th  National Congress held at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. He currently sits on the Mineworkers Investment Company Board as Executive Director, the Mineworkers Investment Trust as a Trustee and Royal Bafokeng Platinum and State Diamond Trader as a Board member.

Otsile Matlou is ENSafrica’s Chief Operating Officer, Practice Integration. He is also a Director and Head of the firm’s natural resources and environment department. As COO, Practice Integration, Otsile ensures the seamless delivery of effective solutions for clients across the continent. As Head of the firm’s natural resources and environment department, Otsile’s expertise covers the circle of mining – from exploration, mining and beneficiation to downscaling and closure. His experience ranges from start-up exploration projects to well-established mining projects, and he acts for a wide range of mining companies in all mineral commodity sectors, including the base and precious metals, coal, rare earths, sand and diamonds sectors.  Otsile’s expertise includes advising on mining aspects of equity and asset acquisitions, disposals and corporate restructuring, and black economic empowerment transactions, as well as on distressed mining assets and on royalties in the mining sector. His experience further includes all aspects of regulatory work in the mining and petroleum (upstream) industries, for listed and unlisted senior, mid‑tier and junior companies, as well as for financial institutions with regards to resource-finance projects. Otsile has done mining title and transactional work in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He has also advised on joint ventures in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Zambia. In addition, he has advised the Uganda Chamber of Mines in relation to the Ugandan mineral regulatory framework. Otsile is an instructor for the Black Lawyers Association and is a member of the Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law section of the International Bar Association. He is also an instructor at the International Law Institute – African Centre for Legal Excellence, where he has trained senior government negotiators and regulators from various African countries in regards to mining contracts, concessions and disputes. Otsile is regularly invited to present papers at conferences and seminars in the field of mining law, and he is widely published.

Bothwell Mazarura is the Chief Financial Officer at Kumba Iron Ore, a position he has held since September 2017. Prior to that he served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at Wescoal Holdings Limited from July 2016. He previously held various senior financial roles at Lonmin Plc from 2010, including Group Head of Finance, Head of Treasury and Acting Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Lonmin Plc, he was a Partner at Deloitte & Touche from 2002, where he also spent some time working in the United Kingdom. Bothwell holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science Degree from the University of South Africa and is an accredited Chartered Accountant in three jurisdictions – England and Wales, South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Sandy joined Allan Gray as an investment analyst and economist in October 1991. Previously he was employed by Gold Fields of South Africa Limited in a variety of management positions for 24 years, where much of his experience was focused on investment-related activities. His current responsibilities include the management of fixed interest and individual client portfolios and he is a fund manager for the Allan Gray Bond Fund. He was a director of Allan Gray Limited from 1997 to 2006.

Dr Mpumelelo Mkhabela is the Chairman of Menar which has controlling stakes in Canyon Coal, Zululand Anthracite Colliery, Kangra and East Manganese. He is an experienced media practitioner and business leader. As a political and policy analyst, Mpumelelo regularly comments on South Africa’s political economy.

Vusi is currently the Sector Lead: Mining & Chemicals (Client Coverage) within the Nedbank Corporate and Investment Bank franchise. He has been at Nedbank in various roles for the last 12 years. Pre-banking he held positions including Treasury & Corporate Finance Manager for Total South Africa, Treasury Manager at Dunlop Tyres and Assistant Manager at KPMG. In a post-articles career spanning 22 years, he has been involved in various capacities on multiple transactions for a number entities in different sectors. Over the years he has been privileged to lead diverse professionals and teams in different geographies. Vusi holds an MBA from Wits Business School, a Diploma in Advanced Banking from the University of Johannesburg and a B. Com degree from the National University of Lesotho, a Certificate in Professional Leadership Coaching from Wits Business School and has been on executive advancement programmes with Total South Africa and Nedbank. He is registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants as an AGA (SA), as a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers of Southern Africa (ACTSA) and as a Professional Leadership Coach for Masters’ students at the Wits Business School.

Nico Muller holds a BSc Mining Engineering degree from the University of Pretoria and has a 28-year mining career across a range of commodities, including platinum. He has a proven track record as a successful operator and is a highly-rated leader and strategic thinker. Nico was appointed to the board of Implats as both Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Director in April 2017. Prior to this he served as Executive Vice-President of Gold Fields’ South African operations (South Deep) for three years, where he fulfilled a pivotal role in re-energising and repositioning the mine for a sustainable future. He also served as the Chief Operating Officer at Royal Bafokeng Platinum, and in various other high-level positions at Anglovaal, African Rainbow Minerals, Avgold and De Beers.

July Ndlovu is the CEO of Thungela Resources and a coal miner at heart. He was previously the CEO of Anglo American’s Coal business before it was demerged and listed on the JSE and LSE. After starting at Anglo American as a graduate trainee, in 2001, he transferred to Anglo American Platinum, where he was first appointed Business Manager of the Polokwane Smelter, then Executive Head of processing. He spent some time at Anglo American subsidiaries in Zimbabwe in several senior managerial positions in metallurgical operations, and technical services. While working to make a difference, July demands high standards and delivering on commitments; his leadership style is respectful and fair, serving and supporting the people he works with. July graduated with honours in Engineering and Business Leadership from the Universities of Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively. He also completed the Columbia Business School's Senior Executive Programme. In 2020 July was appointed as the Chairman of the World Coal Association (WCA), tasked with ensuring that the organisation meets both customers’ needs and society’s expectations of it, including working together to deliver a new era of clean technologies.

Sipho Nkosi is a mentor that continuously challenges teams to collectively leave a lasting impact on the economic landscape, being a true visionary and guiding light. Sipho is the Independent Director of Tronox Limited, Sanlam and the Chairman of the Talent10 Holdings Group. In February 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Nkosi as the head of the red tape team in the office of the Presidency; this initiative will promote ease of businesses processes in the country. In March 2016, he retired as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Exxaro Resources Limited. Sipho founded Eyesizwe Holdings and served as CEO before its merger into Exxaro in 2006. He is also Chairman of Eyesizwe Holdings and a Board Member of Eyesizwe Mining. Sipho holds a BCom (Hons) degree from Unisa and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts in the USA. He currently serves on a number of boards, including WITS University, CDE (Centre for Development and Enterprise), the Small Business Institute, and he currently serves as Chairman of Sasol. Sipho also previously served as the Chairman of the SA National Energy Association, the President of the South African Chamber of Mines and was a representative on the World Energy Council. Over the years, business at large has bestowed a number of prestigious awards on Sipho in recognition of his ongoing contribution as an astute business leader. In 2012, he was announced as the Master Entrepreneur of the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Award. Thereafter, Sipho went on to represent South Africa at the Global Awards event hosted in Monte Carlo. In 2013, the Afrikaanse Handels Institute recognised Sipho with the Tinie Louw Award for outstanding Business Leadership. The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) also presented Sipho with the Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award in 2015 for his substantial contribution to the South African minerals industry. The Black Management Forum honoured Sipho with their most coveted Black Excellence Leadership Award at their corporate dinner which celebrated 40 years of transformation and change.

Before joining Rothschild & Co in this role in 2003, she had 17 years of experience in the City of London at major financial institutions where she was consistently rated as one of the top investment analysts in mining, ending up as head of the European Mining Research at SSMB (part of Citigroup). In 2006, Fiona formed AIM Mining Research and, in the same year, published "Understanding Junior Miners" in conjunction with three geologists and a mining engineer. Prior to arrival in the City of London in 1986, she had six years of experience in financial journalism and academia in South Africa, building up a broad knowledge of managerial and financial topics. Fiona served as a non-executive director on the board of Dominion Diamond Corporation from February 2014 to January 2016.

Noel’s career with South32 spans more than 25 years. He joined the company in 1994 as a Maintenance Engineer at Hillside Aluminium in South Africa, and after several leadership roles in maintenance, production, business improvement and human resources, he was appointed as Bayside Operations Manager in 2008, where he led the consolidation of the Bayside and Hillside smelters into a single business (Aluminium South Africa). In 2009, Noel took up the role of Maintenance Manager at the Worsley Alumina Refinery in Australia where he spent three years before returning to South Africa in 2012 to take on the role of General Manager for Aluminium South Africa. In 2015, Noel was appointed to the role of President, Aluminium South Africa where he led the transformation of the Hillside business. In 2018, Noel returned to Australia as Vice President Operations at Worsley. In 2021, he returned to South Africa in the role of Chief Operating Officer overseeing South32 operations in Africa and Colombia. Noel is a trained Mechanical Engineer and holds a National Higher Diploma (NHDP) from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Niël Pretorius has two decades of experience in the mining industry. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer designate of DRDGOLD Limited on 21 August 2008 and Chief Executive Officer on 1 January 2009.  Niël also serves as an elected Council Member with the Minerals Council of South Africa. Niël initially joined the company on 1 May 2003 as a legal adviser and was promoted to the position of Group Legal Counsel on 1 September 2004 and General Manager: Corporate Services on 1 April 2005.  Niël was subsequently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ergo Mining Operations (formerly DRDGOLD SA) on 1 July 2006. He has been instrumental in implementing several corporate social investment strategies and environmental, educational and rehabilitation policies during his tenure, in line with the company's strategy to deploy its resources to maximise economic value through sustainable and responsible mining, while releasing land back to Johannesburg for re-development.

Brad Rogers became Managing Director of Jupiter Mines on 1 August 2022. Jupiter holds a 49.9% interest in the Tshipi Borwa manganese mine in South Africa and is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Brad has come from 14 years at Bis Industries, where he was CEO for the last 7 years, having previously served as CFO and Director of Corporate Development. Bis is one of the largest mining logistics companies in Australia and Indonesia, operating on 50 mine sites, providing bulk haulage, crushing, screening, train loading, ship loading, build-own-operate infrastructure, underground services and logistics consulting services. Bis services major miners across various commodities including iron ore, manganese, bauxite, coal, gold, nickel and copper. Prior to Bis, Brad was General Manager Corporate Development at ASX-listed gold mining, engineering and infrastructure company GRD Limited, where he was responsible for strategy, M&A and investor relations. Brad started his career as a strategy advisor at Arthur Andersen and Mainsheet Corporate. He is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in the mining industry around the world, including Africa.

Andries is PwC’s Africa Energy, Utilities and Resources leader and an experienced JSE accredited audit partner. He has been with the firm since 1997 and partner since 2007. He has experience in numerous stock exchange transactions, including IPOs, fund raisings, and reporting accountant work for acquisitions. He has a specific focus on mining clients across commodities and mining methods. Andries is the project leader for the firm’s SA Mine and Global Mine publications which gives him excellent insight into industry wide issues.  Although he has a specific focus on mining and construction clients, Andries also has a variety of cross industry exposure with previous involvements in retail, manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, banking and insurance clients. His core industries has given him the opportunity to work with cross border teams on a regular basis.

Rick began his career 47 years ago in 1974 in the securities business and has been involved in it ever since. He is known for his expertise in many resource sectors, including agriculture, alternative energy, forestry, oil and gas, mining and water. Mr. Rule is actively engaged in private placement markets, through originating and participating in hundreds of debt and equity transactions

Henry Sanderson is executive editor for Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. He previously covered commodities and mining for the Financial Times for seven years. Before that he lived and worked in China from 2007 to 2014, where he was a Beijing-based reporter for Bloomberg News. He is the author of Volt Rush, the Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green, which was published in July. 

My new book Volt Rush, the Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green, is out in July in the UK, and September in the US.

Pre-order here: http://bit.ly/385q6Pe

Keith is a geologist with over 20 years’ experience in the mining industry, spanning the mining value chain from exploration and evaluation, to feasibility and production. He is a mineral exploration and evaluation specialist with extensive experience globally and across Africa in multidisciplinary minerals projects. This experience includes tenure and permitting, geology, mineral resources and reserves, mining, processing, infrastructure, risk and financial analysis, environmental and social governance. Keith is currently the CEO of Fraser Alexander and has sat on the board of a public mining company and on several private boards of mineral exploration companies.

Richard Stewart has 20 years’ experience in South Africa’s geological and mining industries, is a Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa and is a Registered Natural Scientist. Prior to joining Sibanye-Stillwater in 2014, he served on the Gold One Executive Committee, from 2009 to 2014, in both Technical and Business Development related roles. Richard was also the CEO of JSE listed Goliath Gold Limited, from 2013 to 2014. Prior to that he was an Investment Consultant for the Private Equity Group, African Global Capital Proprietary Limited and held management positions at Uranium One and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Mining Technology division.  He was a co-founding member and director of Shango Solutions, a geological consultancy firm.

Bernard is the Chairman of the annual Junior Indaba and Joburg Indaba as well as an Executive Director of the SBI. He is a Partner at To-The-Point Growth Specialists as well as a Partner in THINKspiration. He served as Non-Executive Director on the boards of Impala, Zimplats, Eqstra and African Rainbow Minerals Limited. Previous roles include Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Village Main Reef Limited and CEO of Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited. He is Chairman and Managing Partner of MMC (Manganese Metal Company) as well as a non-executive director of African Rainbow Energy Producer (AREP).

Gaba Tabane is the Managing Director in Sales at Accenture as well as the Leader of the Africa Public Service Industry Group. Prior to joining Accenture, Gaba was a Director at Deloitte for twelve years and served in various capacities, including heading up the Public Sector for the Africa firm prior to leading same for the consulting business, being a member of the Consulting EXCO and serving two terms on the Board of Deloitte Africa. He also served as the head of North West Provincial Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Invest North West) for six years, streamlining its strategy, processes and operations for maximum performance and achieving 5 consecutive unqualified audits during that tenure. Throughout this tenure, Gaba served on the North West Provincial Tender Board as it then was. Gaba started his career as Lecturer at his alma mater, the North West University’s Mahikeng campus where he facilitated business strategy modules for 3rd year students, and later on as guest facilitator for same to MBA students.  He then spent a year working as a Youth Commissioner in the North West Premier’s office developing a Youth Economic Participation Strategy before his first 3-year stint at Accenture where he moved from Analyst to Manager. He has public sector working experience that spans over 12 years as well as a business consulting career of over 15 years. Gaba holds the degree of Bachelor of Commerce in Education (B.Com Ed), majoring in Economics, followed by an Honours degree in Management and an MBA from Clark Atlanta University with specialization in Marketing and Finance.

From his beginnings in education to his career in Human Resources, Mike has gained extensive experience in people and business management in BHP and Impala, as well as CEO of Optimum Coal Holdings (prior to it being taken over by Glencore). Mike is the Chairperson and controlling shareholder of the Masimong Group and serves as Chair/Non-Executive Director at the Anchor Group, Rofles Holdings and the Richards Bay Coal Terminal. He is also a past president of the Chamber of Mines and serves on the Council of the Chamber. In keeping with his passion to leave a legacy for the next generation, Mike serves on the board of the University of Johannesburg.

Phillip was appointed Chief Operating Officer, African Rainbow Minerals Limited (ARM) from 15 November 2021 to date. Prior to joining ARM he was appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of capital projects, new business development and corporate strategy on 1 March 2016 to 14 November 2021 for Harmony. He joined Harmony on 1 July 2014 as the Regional General Manager for Kusasalethu, Doornkop and Kalgold. He has been in the mining industry for more than 20 years, initially as a postgraduate mining engineer with Gold Fields Limited at their various operations. His operational and managerial experience was developed at a number of gold and platinum mines. Prior to joining Harmony, he was a consulting mining engineer for Anglo American Platinum Joint Venture Operations. He was appointed as the first black President of the Association of the Mine Managers of South Africa in 2008.

Natascha has served as Anglo American Platinum’s CEO since April 2020, also sitting on the Anglo American Platinum Board and the Group Management Committee of Anglo American plc. Prior to that, she spent five years as Group Head of Processing for Anglo American. Natascha is a seasoned senior executive, bringing 28 years of operational experience from across the mining industry, spanning many different countries, metals and minerals including, of course, the PGMs. Viljoen's operational executive experience also includes six years at Lonmin, where her last post was Executive Vice President of Processing. Viljoen holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from North-West University, in South Africa, and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Cape Town.

Piet Viljoen started out as a lecturer at the University of Pretoria and subsequently joined SARB as an economic analyst. He joined Allan Gray Investment Counsel in 1991 as a portfolio manager and later moved onto Investec Asset Management in 1995. He founded RECM in 2003 and is currently Chairperson. He is a director of two listed investment companies - RAC (Pty) Ltd and Astoria Investments Ltd. He also manages the Counterpoint Value Fund.

Songezo Zibi is the Chairman of Rivonia Circle and author of the recently-launched Manifesto – A New Vision for South Africa and his 2014 book, Raising the Bar – Hope and Renewal in South Africa, which was long-listed for the Sunday Times Alan Paton Award of 2016. He was recently the Acting Group Executive: Marketing and Corporate Relations at Absa Group, a pan-African financial services and banking group based in Johannesburg. Prior to taking up this role, he was Head of Communication and Corporate Relations at the same organization. Prior to joining Absa, he was Editor of Business Day newspaper, also based in Johannesburg, from 2014 to 2016, after a year as Senior Associate Editor at the Financial Mail. As a journalist and editor, Songezo wrote extensively about South Africa’s political system, economy and social dynamics. Since 2007 he has been a consistent and recognized voice for accountability, good governance, nation-building and the building of a dynamic, inclusive economy. Songezo is currently on the boards of three non-profit organizations, namely, the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), a research think-tank based in Johannesburg; Corruption Watch and the Open Society Foundation South Africa (OSFSA). In 2015, Songezo was recognized with the Rising Star Award by his alma mater, the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth.

Mpumi was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Kumba Iron Ore Limited with effect from 1 January 2022 and joined the Kumba Board as an executive director. She also assumed the role of Chairman of the operating entity, Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty) Ltd. Mpumi was a De Beers Group bursar and officially joined De Beers in 2001 as a process engineer. As part of her production journey, she worked on process improvement and plant design projects and also worked in various leadership levels within production management. She was appointed General Manager at De Beers Kimberley Mines in 2007, becoming the first female General Manager in the De Beers Group. In 2010, she was appointed General Manager of De Beers Voorspoed mine and three and a half years later became Senior Vice-President of De Beers Sightholder Sales South Africa.

Mpumi was promoted to Deputy CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines in November 2017, rising to the position of Managing Director, De Beers Group Managed Operations, in April 2019. Managed Operations includes De Beers Group's operations in South Africa and Canada. Mpumi holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and completed leadership development at the London Business School.

Mpumi previously served as a non-executive director of various companies including the Black Management Forum and Mintek. She was a winner of the 2018 Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining awards issued in Mayfield, London.