Adrian O'Brien

VP - Business Development & Communications

Midnight Sun Mining; Red Sea Resources

Mr. O’Brien is a Senior Executive and Senior Marketing Executive, with over 25 years of experience in the mining and exploration sector. He has served in roles from Investor Relations to CEO and has been involved projects spanning the continuum from grass roots discovery to development, mine build and operations. From 2018 to 2023, he served as Director of Marketing and Communications for PureGold Mining. He is a former Director & President of Kermode Resources, former Vice President of Apella Resources, former Director and President/CEO of Pro Minerals, and a former Director of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.

Allison George

Senior Strategic Advisor

Andrew Lane

Strategic Advisor

Andrew is a trusted business coach, professional facilitator and strategic advisor with over 37 years of experience in Industry and Consulting. His passion is advising and coaching people destined to make a difference in the world. His consulting work is almost exclusively in mining, where he helps clients with difficult strategic choices. He has a specific speciality in socio-economic sustainability in the mining industry. Andrew recently retired from Deloitte where he had been a Partner for 10 years, specialising in Corporate and Business Unit Strategy. He also led the Energy, Resources and Industrials practice for Deloitte in Africa, as well as the CEO programme. Prior to Deloitte, Andrew was a Partner at the Monitor Group and North Road Consulting. He started his Consulting career at Bain & Company in Johannesburg and London. Prior to his consulting career, Andrew enjoyed a successful career in General Management at an Industrial group of companies.

Avhurengwi Nengovhela

CEO

Coaltech Research Association

Bady Baldé

Deputy Executive Director

EITI

Bady Baldé has served as Deputy Executive Director of the EITI since 2020, leading a global team that supports the implementation of the EITI Standard across all member countries. As a member of the senior management team, he oversees financial management and guides global policy development on key issues such as transparency in commodity trading, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), and public financial management (PFM). He has over 20 years of experience in public financial management, international development, and government policy in the energy, mining, oil, and gas sectors. Prior to joining the EITI in 2010, Bady worked with the World Bank, the Central Bank of Guinea, and the German development cooperation agency (GIZ). From 2012 to 2013, he took a two-year sabbatical to work with the African Development Bank. Bady has held several board and advisory roles and currently serves on the Board of the Global Battery Alliance, the Sustainability Committee of Mining Indaba, promoting responsible investment in Africa, and the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the Consolidated Mining Standard, a joint initiative of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the World Gold Council, Copper Mark, and Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM).

Ben Magara

CEO

Exxaro

Benitha Tambwe

Expert-Head Partnerships Monitoring

DRC Ministry of Mines - CTCPM

Benitha Tambwe is Head of the Partnerships Monitoring Service at the Cellule Technique de Coordination et de Planification Minière (CTCPM), the DRC Ministry of Mines' technical coordination body. In this role, she leads the Ministry's strategic partnerships across bilateral and multilateral agreements, covering grant-funded cooperation with government and institutional partners, including programmes on ASM formalisation, mineral traceability, child labour remediation, and ESG compliance. Her service acts as the focal point for public and government relations in the Congolese mining sector.

Beyond her institutional role, Benitha works closely with international and regional actors to navigate responsible engagement in the DRC mineral sector, supporting work covering market intelligence, regulatory compliance, due diligence, and deal structuring, as well as partnerships on digital infrastructure and sovereign data for critical minerals.

A Board Member of Women in Mining Africa, Benitha is also leading the establishment of the DRC Chapter of WiM-Africa, an initiative she is building with fellow Congolese women in the sector. The Chapter's work focuses on the next generation: creating pathways for young women still in school through scholarships, internships and hands-on workshops that make the case for careers in geology, metallurgy and the technical disciplines essential to local critical mineral transformation. For early-career women, the Chapter will develop graduate programmes, mentorship structures and practical professional support, alongside a clear framework for addressing harassment in both academic and workplace settings.

She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Operations Management (South Africa), a Master's Degree in Business Analytics and Finance (United Kingdom), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Commodities Trading (Switzerland).

Brad Rogers

CEO

Jupiter Mines

Brad Rogers was appointed Managing Director and CEO of Jupiter Mines Ltd on the 1 August 2022.

Brad is a highly experienced mining sector executive. Prior to his appointment at Jupiter Mines, Mr Rogers held the position of Managing Director and CEO of Bis Industries from 2015, having been a part of Bis’ leadership team since 2008 in senior executive roles including Chief Financial Officer and Director of Corporate Development. Bis Industries is Australia’s leading bulk logistics provider for the mining sector, offering innovative haulage, materials handling, automation and specialised equipment solutions across a diverse range of commodities.  Prior to his role at Bis, Brad was a senior executive at gold, engineering and infrastructure company, GRD Limited.  He is a Chartered Accountant and has also worked for leading strategy consulting companies.
 

Caroline Donally

Managing Partner

Sprott

Caroline Donally is an entrepreneurial mining finance executive and independent public company director with a 25-year track record of value creation across exploration, development, and production-stage mining asset, globally across multiple commodities. Caroline serves as Managing Partner at Sprott Streaming & Royalty, where she has grown the platform from $200M to $1bn AUM and has led the deployment of multiple structured financings across global mining projects. Prior to Sprott, she spent nearly a decade as Managing Director at Denham Capital, where she originated and managed over $1B of mining investments across the Americas and Africa. Earlier, she spent 10 years in project and structured finance, providing mining debt solutions primarily across Africa. She began her career at BDO Spencer Steward, gaining experience in audit, tax, and financial reporting. Caroline serves on the boards of Torex Gold Resources and Major Drilling, previously served on Turquoise Hill Resources and Highland Copper. She holds the Chartered Accountant designation, is a two-time recipient of the “100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining” award and a sought-after speaker at international mining and finance conferences.

Champ Thekiso

Co-Founder

Thekvest Group

Champ Thekiso is a qualified Chartered Accountant and strategic consultant with over 17 years’ experience. His career began at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he developed his auditing and advisory skills for SMMEs.  Champ has since excelled in transforming underperforming entities into high-growth advisory firms and founded Thekvest Group, leading numerous strategic initiatives focused on socio-economic development and economic inclusion, particularly in the resources sector. His leadership has been pivotal in collaborations with industry leaders, amongst others like Impala Platinum and the Minerals Council South Africa. Champ’s expertise extends to facilitating planning sessions across various sectors, developing long-term strategic plans, and ensuring robust financial governance. His commitment to ethical leadership is evident in his governance roles across various boards, consistently positioning him as a trusted advisor in socio-economic development. Champ’s ability to bridge private sector dynamism with public sector compliance makes him a valuable asset in driving both corporate success and societal impact in South Africa.
 

Christopher Vandome

Director, Critical Minerals Initiative

Chatham House

Founding head of Chatham House Global Critical Minerals Initiative, and Senior Research Fellow in Global Economics and Finance, and Africa; leading corporate engagement, commercial fundraising, project development, and communications strategy. Highly experienced research operations professional covering political economy, geopolitics, resource governance, extractive industry performance standards, critical minerals, international relations and Africa. Regularly sought after by government, companies and media for strategic advice, expert analysis, and project delivery. Widely published and cited in media and academia. PhD candidate, University of the Witwatersrand. Based in London and Johannesburg

Claude de Baissac

Founder & CEO

Eunomix

I founded and lead Eunomix. Since 2009 Eunomix turns geopolitical and country risk into a source of competitive advantage. Mining companies have become geopolitical actors: your listing jurisdiction, your operational footprint, your market… these shape access to resources, security of tenure, social license, access to capital. Resource nationalism is structurally resurgent, and great power competition is redrawing the map of who extracts what and where. Just as demand for critical minerals explodes. There is a path through the fog. Geopolitical and country risk are not a burden. Managed with foresight, they can be a source of differentiation, resilience, performance and long-term value creation. We have built the architecture, data and performance processes that embed geopolitical and country risk management into corporate strategy and operational performance. We have advised leading mining companies through complex political disputes and regulatory challenges, strategic country entry and jurisdiction selection, turnaround and crisis management in distressed operations, integration of geopolitics and country performance into strategy and operational processes. At Mining Indaba, I'm here for direct conversations with people building for the next cycle.

Cobus Loots

CEO

Pan African Resources

A chartered accountant by profession, and also a CFA^® Charterholder, Cobus Loots, CEO of Pan African Resources, has many years of experience in the African mining sector. He has been a director of Pan-African Resources since 2009, serving as Financial Director from 2013 until his appointment as CEO in March 2015. 

Under Cobus’ tenure, Pan African has transformed and established itself as a global leader in tailings retreatment, with four large projects successfully executed in recent years. Its most recent project, MTR, was commissioned in October 2024, ahead of schedule and below budget. Pan African now produces more than 100,000oz of gold per annum from tailings operations, at sub-U$1000 AISC.

In the current gold price environment, with a robust portfolio and multiple further growth opportunities, Pan African is well-positioned to continue providing sector-leading returns to shareholders, and also to create significant benefits for all of its other stakeholders.

Deshan Naidoo

CEO

Afrivolt

Deshan Naidoo is a multidisciplinary industrialist and investor with a proven track record in manufacturing, energy and capital markets. As Founder & Managing Director of Afrivolt, he is driving the establishment of Southern Africa’s first battery cell gigafactory to power grid-scale storage and heavy-vehicle electrification. He is a shareholder of Cannon Asset Managers and other manufacturing and metal processing businesses and serves on the advisory board of the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 (Infrastructure & Industrialisation). Deshan was a member of the B20 Energy Mix & Just Transition Task Force and served on NAACAM’s National Executive Committee from 2017–2023. An INSEAD Certified International Director and Presidential Precinct Fellow, he holds the distinction of being recognised as South Africa’s Presidential Industrialist Exporter of the Year (2022), an honour awarded for advancing the nation’s export trade.

Dr. Marit Kitaw

Economic Affairs Officer

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Ms. Marit Kitaw, PhD  is the Interim Director of the African Minerals Development Center (AMDC), a Specialized Agency of the African Union, and a panafrican Center dedicated to harnessing Africa’s mineral resources for Africa’s sustainable development and structural transformation through implementing the Africa Mining Vision (AMV). She was previously an Economist at UNECA where she became a strong advocate of developmental and sustainable mining. Marit was also Chief Technical Advisor on Extractives Industries for Sustainable Development at UNDP Mozambique where she actively supported the elaboration of an AMV aligned minerals policy and strategy, the formulation of a local content policy and contributed to the environmental governance of the extractives sector.  As a founding member of the AMDC, she actively contributed to the development of major implementing tools. Dr. Marit previously worked in COMESA, at the African Development Bank, and at the Institute of World Affairs in Washington, DC.  Dr. Marit Kitaw received her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Nice/ Sophia-Antipolis in France, and an MBA in Leadership and Sustainability from the University of Cumbria, UK.
 

Dr. Remi Piet

Senior Partner

Embellie Advisory

Dr Remi Piet is co-founder and Senior Partner of Embellie Advisory. Remi holds a PhD in political economy and sustainable development and has field experience carrying above the ground and ESG counterparty risk assessments for investors in 60+ countries (Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Europe). Before founding Embellie Advisory, Remi worked for the United Nations Environment Programme and taught at several universities in the United States and the Middle East, in particular at the University of Miami in the departments of Ecosystem Science and International Studies and at Qatar University. He now coordinates and advises graduate theses on ESG strategy and economic diversification at HEC Paris in Qatar and leads Embellie Advisory’s engagements in the energy, infrastructure and natural resources sector.

Duncan Wanblad

CEO

Anglo American

Duncan brings to the Board more than 30 years of global mining experience and a deep understanding of Anglo American, its culture and context. Duncan leads the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), having served as a member since 2009, and is chair of De Beers. From 2016 to 2022, Duncan was Group Director – Strategy and Business Development, also serving as CEO of our Base Metals business from 2013 to 2019. Until 2022, he chaired the Anglo American Foundation. Between 2009 and 2013, Duncan held the position of Group Director – Other Mining and Industrial, responsible for a global portfolio of mining and industrial businesses for disposal or turnaround to maximise shareholder value. He was appointed CEO of our Copper operations in 2008, prior to which he served as joint interim CEO of Anglo American Platinum in 2007 (having served on the board since 2004). From 2004 to 2007, Duncan was Executive Director of Projects and Engineering at Anglo American Platinum. Duncan began his career at Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company Limited in 1990. 

Frans Baleni

Chairman of the Executive Advisory Board

Investing in African Mining Indaba

FRANS BALENI takes a vision and makes it reality through sound strategy development. He intuitively sees the threads of opportunity that wind through an organisation, brings them together into a coherent whole, helps others extend their thinking, and drives material business advantage. 
He is an inspirational leader who tells stories that inspire action while at the same time is grounded in health and safety that levers the business. Respected as a credible voice in decision making, establishing governance, boundaries, executive coach, business consultant, and mentor with over 30 years multi-industry experience and specialises with problem-solving strategies. Frans is a former mineworker, who participated in the formation of the National Union of Mineworkers, leader in business and various industries such as mining, finance, education, and environmental. A seasoned Board member, who brings sound commercial, risk, governance, compliance skills, and strong expertise in health & safety, government relations, education and training, energy sector, stakeholder management and collective bargaining processes. 
A passionate advocate of health and safety, with ethical leadership in the marketplace. Amongst some of the industry body Committee’s, he served on the King II Committee developing the Chapter on Sustainability, and on the National Electricity Forum which led to the formation of NERSA.

Gerry Reddy

Founding Director

Steyn Reddy Associates

Gerry is a founding Director of SRA. He is a global expert in land management, land access, resettlement, livelihood restoration, social impact assessment, and urban and regional development, having successfully planned and implemented a variety of projects worldwide. He has worked with companies, lending institutions, government, the United Nations, and international NGOs. Gerry’s work has covered the mining, energy, infrastructure, conservation and post-disaster / conflict sectors, and focuses on creating win-win outcomes for communities and project proponents, based on practical application of international best practice tailored to the local context. His expertise is in project management, land management, access and resettlement, stakeholder engagement and community negotiations, social impact assessment, livelihood restoration, and participatory community planning and development. He has also undertaken social due diligence reviews, training of corporate personnel, and benchmarking of projects worldwide. He has a MA in Urban and Regional Planning, Diploma in Environmental Resource Management, and an MSc in Climate Change Management, including a thesis on Resettlement and Climate Change. He is co-author of Land Access and Resettlement: A Guide to Best Practice (2015), and SRA’s Insights Series on the Land Access & Resettlement Process (2017).

Gobona Lizzie Tau

Geologist & Natural Resource Strategist

Isabelle Ramdoo

Director

IGF

Isabelle Ramdoo is the Director of the IGF Secretariat, responsible for overseeing its operations and executing the IGF mission. An economist with over 25 years of experience in trade and industrial policies, Ramdoo served as a trade negotiator for the Government of Mauritius. Prior to being appointed as Director in 2025, she served as IGF Deputy Director since 2020 and led key IGF initiatives, notably on local content and critical minerals. She also worked as a Senior Linkages and Investment Advisor for the African Minerals Development Centre, where she provided strategic advice to African governments and was responsible for linkages and local content.

Jabulani Selumane

CEO

Automotive Industry Transformation Fund

Jabulani Selumane is the Chief Executive Officer of the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF), leading strategic initiatives aligned with the South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM2035). Since 2020, he has driven enterprise and supplier development, transformation, and localisation within the automotive value chain. Under his leadership, AITF now serves as the Secretariat of the SAAM2035 Executive Oversight Committee (EOC), playing a central role in coordinating strategic alignment and acting as the implementation partner for key programmes critical to achieving SAAM2035 goals. Additionally, AITF has assumed responsibility for managing the Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Initiative (ASCCI), focused on enhancing supplier performance and global competitiveness. Jabulani is a passionate strategist with expertise in business development, stakeholder relations, and operational transformation. Through his leadership, AITF continues to be a catalytic force in building a globally competitive and inclusive automotive industry in South Africa.

Jamie van Schoor

CEO

Dwyka

Jamie van Schoor is the CEO and Founder of Dwyka Mining Services – a mining-technology platform that champions home-grown teams equipped with global technologies to build safe and productive mining environments. His obsession with the careful blend of human + machine has enabled him to rapidly scale Dwyka to operations in over 30 countries. With an unwavering belief in Africa's human capital supported by global technology partners, Jamie is passionate about using technology as a catalyst to create valuable and uniquely African businesses, proving that locally-led companies can be global technology leaders. Proudly African and alumnus of the University of Cape Town, Jamie currently resides in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Jill Cooper

Director of Responsible Investing

Orion Resource Partners

Ms. Cooper is an environmental attorney with over 30 years of experience working on sustainability and ESG topics. Her experience covers a wide array of industries including mining, energy, water, manufacturing, consumer products, and government. Throughout her career she has managed teams of ESG and sustainability specialists in industry and government roles. Prior to joining Orion, Ms. Cooper helped Geosyntec Consultants create an ESG team and services. She served as a Director of Global Environment for Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (including ESG). Ms. Cooper has experience working with directly with executives, investors, financial institutions, and not-for-profits. She holds a BS in Marketing, an MBA from Thunderbird, and an JD in environmental law from the University of Colorado.

Jito Kayumba

Special Assistant to the President

Republic of Zambia 

John Armstrong

President & COO

North Arrow Minerals

Dr. John P. Armstrong is a seasoned mining executive with more than 34 years of experience in mineral exploration, mining, and government in Canada and Botswana. He spent over a decade with Lucara Diamond Corp., serving most recently as Vice President, Technical Services (2018-2024), where he led the technical team through pre-feasibility and feasibility study phases for the Karowe Underground Expansion. Dr. Armstrong was also responsible for modelling Karowe's unique diamond size distribution and implementing innovative sensor-based XRT recovery circuits designed to preserve the value of the mine's largest, highest-value stones. Dr. Armstrong currently serves on the board of directors of Tectonic Metals Inc., He holds a Ph.D. in Geology (1997) and an Honours B.Sc. in Geology (1989) from the University of Western Ontario and is a registered Professional Geologist with NAPEG. Dr. Armstrong is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. 

Jonathan Veeran

Partner

Webber Wentzel

Joseph Starwood

Worldwide Mining Industry Leader

Microsoft

Julie Courtnage

Executive Director

Mandela Mining Precinct

An environmental scientist by training, Julie Courtnage has over 35 years of experience in the mining sector, working at site level, in corporate mining environments, international liaison and as an independent advisor on the role of mining in sustainability processes.  She was appointed as Executive Director to the Mandela Mining Precinct in 2023, a role in which she manages research, development and innovation facilitation through the public-private-partnership between the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Minerals Council South Africa. Her sustainability research background, matched with a strong communication ability has made her an advocate for a future of sustainable mineral and metal supply, mobilising parties at regional and international levels,  within policy, programme or community level for optimal, future-focussed impact.

 

Kwasi Ampofo

Head of Metals and Mining

BloombergNEF

Kwasi Ampofo is the Head of Metals and Mining at BloombergNEF based in London. His research covers industrial metals, rare-earth metals, battery metals and the pathways for miners to reach net-zero. Prior to BloombergNEF, he worked at Anglo American and Nous Group in Australia. He completed his PhD in Mineral Economics at the University of Queensland, Australia. He currently serves as a non-executive director on the board of Amira Global.

Lisl Pullinger

Founder & CEO

Vivid Advisory

Lisl Pullinger is the Managing Director of Vivid Advisory, a specialist sustainability and ESG advisory firm supporting mining and infrastructure projects across Africa. She is an experienced C-suite advisor with over 20 years of experience in the extractives, infrastructure and development sectors, working at the intersection of sustainability strategy, social risk management, stakeholder engagement and responsible investment. Lisl has advised mining and large-scale infrastructure projects across Southern Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo throughout the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and financing through to construction and operations. Her work includes supporting cross-border infrastructure and logistics developments, advising on land access, resettlement, community engagement, and alignment with international standards, while balancing investor requirements with host country and community priorities. She has worked closely with governments, development partners and private sector clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional projects, and regularly contributes to international policy discussions through her work with organisations such as the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Metals and Sustainable Development and European Union responsible sourcing initiatives. Lisl holds a Master’s degree in Communication Pathology from the University of Pretoria and is a member of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2). She is recognized for her ability to facilitate informed, balanced dialogue between industry, government and communities.

Louis Maréchal

Senior Advisor, Minerals & Extractive

OECD

Louis Maréchal has played a key role in advancing the OECD’s work on responsible mineral supply chains for over a decade. As a senior advisor, he contributes to the transversal initiative on critical minerals which leverages the OECD’s multi-disciplinary expertise. In addition, he supports OECD work on the role of gold as a strategic asset. Prior to joining the OECD, Louis Maréchal worked for four years with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France on issues related to transparency and governance in the mining sector, and security of supply of strategic metals. He started his career with a strategic consultancy firm focusing on the defence and extractives industries.  

Luís Chambel

Managing Partner; Director on the board

Sinese; Jean Boulle Group

Marley Palin

Head of Innovation (Product) & Xplor

BHP Xplor

Marley holds dual leadership roles at BHP, heading Product for Innovation and leading the Xplor program within BHP Exploration. She brings broad experience across strategy, technology, and early-stage ventures, having worked at every level of the innovation ecosystem from large corporate transformation to start-up execution. Marley specialises in translating fast, entrepreneurial ways of working into scalable solutions for global mining. At BHP she focuses on developing product capabilities that unlock new technologies and on accelerating emerging exploration companies as the industry searches for the critical minerals needed for the future.

 

Marna Cloete

President & CEO

Ivanhoe Mines

Marna Cloete has been the President of Ivanhoe Mines since April 2020, leveraging over 20 years of expertise in strategic finance, resource development, and organizational transformation. Since joining Ivanhoe Mines in 2006, she has played a vital role in the company’s evolution, notably serving as Chief Financial Officer from 2009 to 2020. During this time, Marna’s financial acumen and visionary leadership laid the groundwork for Ivanhoe Mines’ sustainable growth and global success.

Marna has been instrumental in driving some of the mining industry’s most significant achievements. Under her leadership, Ivanhoe Mines successfully developed and launched production at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s largest and highest-grade copper projects. She also guided the reopening of the Kipushi mine, renowned for its ultra-high-grade zinc, copper, germanium, and silver deposits, and continues to oversee the development of the Platreef Project in South Africa, the world's largest precious metals development, which includes palladium, platinum, nickel, copper, and gold.
 
Her leadership extends beyond operations to strategic partnerships that have transformed Ivanhoe Mines’ footprint on the global stage. Marna played a pivotal role in forging joint ventures with Zijin Mining and partnerships with companies such as CITIC Metal and a Japanese consortium led by Itochu. Under her guidance, Ivanhoe raised critical funding, including a US$490 million equity offering in December 2023 and a US$750 million debt package to fuel expansion in January 2024. She also positioned Ivanhoe Mines as the first company to utilize the Lobito Atlantic Rail Corridor for mineral exports, unlocking cost efficiencies and international trade opportunities.

Masedi Letsididi

Botswana

Masedi Letsididi is a Botswana-based public policy, public administration and corporate affairs professional with over 15 years’ experience across government, regional agencies the private sector. Her work has focused on mining, energy, policy, institutional leadership and implementation, with a strong track record in translating national priorities into sector direction, regulatory alignment and practical outcomes.

She previously served as Private Secretary/Chief of Staff to Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, working at the centre of Botswana’s mining and energy policy environment. In this role, she advised on strategic policy positioning, executive coordination, public communications and high-level sector engagement, translating ministerial priorities and directives into institutional action across the Ministry and its affiliated entities. Her work contributed to the advancement of Botswana’s mining and energy agenda, including policy communication, stakeholder alignment, and the coordination of sector priorities across government, industry and development partners.

She currently serves as Manager – Corporate Affairs at Botala Energy, where she oversees corporate positioning, regulatory alignment, government relations, strategic communications and stakeholder mobilisation as the company advances gas and renewable energy solutions in Botswana. Her role focuses on positioning Botala Energy within national energy priorities, supporting the company’s progression from exploration towards development, and strengthening the link between domestic energy security, industrial growth and the needs of energy intensive sectors such as mining.

Her broader experience spans development finance, SMME development, regional programme administration, policy development, and public sector administration. She has worked across complex institutional environments, shaping policy direction, contributing to legislative and regulatory development, aligning public and private sector priorities, and driving implementation through strategic communication, institutional leadership and cross-sector alignment. She brings a practical understanding of how policy, institutions and markets intersect to drive economic development, particularly within Southern Africa’s mining and energy sectors.

Miguel Vemba

Director, Mining Operations & JV Management

Endiama

Miguel Vemba is Director of Mining Operations and Joint Venture (JV) Management at ENDIAMA E.P., Angola’s national diamond company, where he steers operational performance and partner governance across the company’s mining portfolio. Since June 2023, he has focused on delivering safe, reliable and compliant operations while strengthening HSE and environmental management in line with internationally recognised ISO standards. With more than 20 years in the extractive industries, Miguel brings a combination of frontline mining experience in Angola’s diamond provinces and nearly a decade of leadership in oil and gas. Prior to ENDIAMA, he acted as the Finance Manager for Exploration, Refining and Energy Transition at Azule Energy, managing PSA and JOA financial frameworks across operated and non operated assets, and previously held senior roles at bp (oil and gas) spanning business integration, continuous improvement, planning and performance. Miguel holds a Diploma in Financial Strategy from Oxford Saïd, an MBA and an M.Eng. in Engineering Management from Penn State, and a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is known for systems thinking, disciplined execution and partnership models that create long term value for Angola´s extractive industries.
 

Mike Teke

CEO

Seriti Resources

Mike Teke is the CEO of Seriti Resources Holdings which he co-founded in 2018. His qualifications include a BA (Ed), BEd, BA (Hons) and an MBA.

Mike has held HR roles at several companies including Unilever from 1992 to 1994, Bayer from 1994 to 1999, BHP Billiton from 2000 to 2005 and Impala Platinum from 2005 to 2007. Upon his departure at BHP Billiton, he became a founding member of Optimum Coal from 2007 to 2012 where he took on the role of CEO, and later Non- Executive Chairman until 2015.

Mike was also the VP of the Chamber of Mines in SA between 2011/12 and subsequently became the President from 2013 to 2017. He became the Chairman of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal Board in 2012 and stepped down in 2016 to become a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

Mike currently serves as Executive Chairman and controlling shareholder of Masimong Group Holdings and Non-Executive Chairman for several companies, including Rolfes, Anchor Group, and previously served as the Chairman of Council at the University of Johannesburg. He has been appointed as a Professor of Practice at the Johannesburg Business School. This title is only conferred on professionals who contribute to UJ’s academic enterprise through their professional expertise. Mike is also a Non-Executive Director of ARB, DNI, Halewood, and Mouton Citrus.

Mogaleadi Seabela

President

Women in Mining South Africa

Mogaleadi Seabela is the President of Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) and a multi-award-winning Mining Engineer with extensive experience across multiple commodities and regions. Her career spans production, mining technical services to her current role as Manager for the Contractor Performance Management (CPM) application at Anglo American. She has successfully led teams through complex operational and technological transitions, consistently maintaining strong safety performance and operational efficiency. Mogaleadi is recognised for her advocacy for mining technology and has conducted research on technology adoption within the mining industry. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, she has played a significant role in championing women’s empowerment throughout her career. Her accolades include being named one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining (WIMUK100) in 2022 and winning the 18th Annual Standard Bank Top Women in Science Award. Mogaleadi is a seasoned speaker who has participated in several international mining conferences, including the 3rd annual WiM Congress in Chile, World Mining Congress in Australia and the Mining Show in Dubai. She has a deep commitment to education and mentorship and actively works with schools, universities, communities, and organisations such as WiMSA to promote learning, mentorship, and career development in STEM and mining. 

Mohamed Stevens

Legal Council

ALSF

Mohamed Stevens is a seasoned lawyer with over fifteen years of experience in the mining and energy sectors. He currently serves as Legal Counsel at the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), part of the African Development Bank Group, where he advises and coordinates mining and energy projects across multiple African jurisdictions. Mohamed contributes to several high-level initiatives. He serves on the Sustainability Committee of Investing in Mining Indaba and is a member of the African Union’s Technical Committee developing the Model Law on Mineral Resources. He also participates in drafting the African Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Continental Strategy and works with a multi-stakeholder group to advance the African Minerals Governance Framework. Additionally, he chairs the Board of the Journal of International Investment and Extractive Industry Law. His professional experience spans Africa, Asia, and Europe. An accomplished author, Mohamed has published extensively on topics such as transition minerals, green hydrogen, investment arbitration, oil and gas, back-channel negotiations, and sustainable development. He holds two Master of Laws degrees, one in International Dispute Resolution and Management and another in Oil and Gas Law and Policy from the University of Dundee’s Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP). He also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from Sierra Leone Law School and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from BPP Law School, London.

Mosa Mabuza

CEO

Council for Geoscience, South Africa

Mr Mosa Mabuza is a qualified geologist with a BSc (Hons) in Geology (Wits), PDA in Business Management as well as holds a Global Executive Development Programme from GIBS. He has extensive exploration experience in multiple regional jurisdictions that span SADC, West Africa and Canada, amongst others. He assumed his official duties in 2006 as Director of Mineral Economics in the erstwhile Department of Minerals and Energy and later became Deputy Director-General of the Mineral Policy (and Investment Promotion) in 2012. During his tenure as an official; he was assigned with the duties of leading the preliminary strategy for sustainable development and meaningful transformation of South Africa’s mining industry with emphasis on competitive growth and transformation as a symbolistic reinforcing concepts, the development of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill and the assessment of the progress impact on the implementation of the Mining Charter in 2009 and 2015, which respectively based the evidence value proposition for the amendments of the 2010 and 2017 Mining Charter. Mr Mabuza was represented the Department of Mineral Resources in the boards of number of science councils and State Owned Entities, including, albeit not limited to the Council for Geoscience, Mintek, and the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator. In November 2016, Mr Mabuza was deployed to the Council for Geoscience and now serves as CEO of the CGS (since July 2017). He is currently working with his colleagues to champion the refocused geoscientific programme that seeks to optimise the developmental impact, aligned with the national developmental priorities.

Mzila Mthenjane

CEO

Minerals Council South Africa

Mr. Mzila Mthenjane (“Mzila”) is the CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa, the lobby and advocacy group whose members represent 90% of South Africa’s mineral output and employment. He was previously the Executive Head for Stakeholder Affairs at Exxaro Resources Limited. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the resources business, which has been attained in the mining and financial services sectors. He has held various board positions as non-executive director in various entities including Pamodzi Gold Limited, Fraser Alexander, and Merafe Resources. Most recently, he was on the Exxaro Board, intimately involved in stakeholder engagements and strategy. He is the current Chairman of the Board of the Impact Catalyst and is the former Chairman of the Wits University Mining Engineers Association and the former President of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Mthenjane holds a BSc degree in mining engineering from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and he has completed various leadership development training including the Senior Management Development Programme from the Graduate Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT). In addition, he has completed the ABSIP leadership programme with GIBS and Advanced Management Programme, with INSEAD. His leadership acumen has greatly benefited his current role, drawing on his experiences in building and retaining harmonious yet robust relationships with Exxaro’s diverse stakeholder groupings. These stakeholders included employees, customers, investors, legislators, communities, traditional leaders, the media, unions, and civic organisations. In parallel, he advised the Exxaro leadership on the dynamics and changes within the external environment and their possible impact on the business. He is credited with successfully leading the development of Exxaro’s sustainable impact approach, as well as establishing Exxaro’s ESG narrative for stakeholder engagement. Through his leadership, Exxaro has remained among the top performers for integrated reporting, as acknowledged by local and offshore ratings agencies.

Nafi Quarshie

Africa Director

Natural Resource Governance Institute

Nafi Quarshie is an accomplished and visionary leader with over 25 years of experience driving transformative change in Africa’s oil, gas, and mining sectors. As the Africa Director at the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Nafi spearheads innovative strategies to shape an inclusive, equitable, and accountable energy transition that aligns with Africa’s unique realities and sustainable development goals. 

A recognised authority in energy transition, transition minerals governance, and resource revenue management, Nafi works at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and capacity building. She leads NRGI’s Africa program, collaborating with governments, regional institutions, civil society organizations, and communities to foster transparency, accountability, and social justice in managing natural resources. Her work amplifies African voices in global energy transition dialogues and empowers stakeholders to leverage the continent’s resource wealth for long-term prosperity. 

Nafi serves on the steering committees of the Ghana Open Extractive Program and the Open Government Partnership, providing strategic oversight and fostering initiatives that promote transparency and accountability in resource governance. She is also an advisory team member of PPA Watch, where she contributes her expertise to enhance public procurement accountability. She is the board chair of the Institute of Energy Securities in Ghana, guiding its mission to strengthen energy policy and security in Ghana. 

Nafi’s academic and professional achievements underscore her interdisciplinary expertise. She holds a master’s degree in social development and Sustainable Livelihoods from the University of Reading (UK), a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and an Executive Certificate in Oil, Gas, and Mining Governance from the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford (UK). 

Navesh Ragoonanthun

Director

Mineomics SA

Navesh Ragoonanthun serves as a Director at Mineomics SA, a specialist company supporting mines globally in maximising orebody potential through the fundamentals of Mining Economics, technical advisory, strategy and corporate finance. Prior, Navesh was based in the UK as MD Energy and Natural Resources at an investment bank. He also spent 11 years consulting (at Bain & Co and Deloitte) to the mining industry and was a partner at Deloitte where he served as the Operations Transformation (Energy and Natural Resources) leader. He has a proven ability to turn underperforming mining assets into profit generating businesses. Navesh has led multiple capital project reviews (technical and financial) of brown and greenfield tier 1 projects at various global mining companies in all major commodity categories spanning Australia, USA, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Brazil and southern Africa. He started his career in deep level mining production at AngloGold Ashanti and later moved to Rio Tinto focussing on Mine Development. He also served as the Group GM for Business Development at a rail and port company and brings an end-to-end value chain skill set from pit to markets. Navesh holds a BSc Mining Engineering and MBA qualifications.

Nina Yose

Acting Divisional Executive: Mining, Metals, Infrastructure and Energy

IDC

Ntokozo Nzimande

DDG: Mining, Minerals & Petroleum Policy Development

DMPR

With 24 years of experience in South Africa's mining and energy sectors, Ntokozo currently serves as Deputy Director-General at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). She holds an Honours degree in Geography and Environmental Management, an LLB Degree, and a Master’s degree in Energy Leadership from the Wits Business School. 

In addition to their governmental role, Ntokozo serves as a board member at Mintek, a state-owned metallurgy entity under the DMRE, and as a member of an advisory committee to the board of Hyve, the owner of the Mining Indaba, a premier event with 8,500 mining investors and three decades of influence in the industry. 

 Her past board memberships include the Council for GeoScience, the State Diamond Trader, the DTIC's Industrialists Advisory Panel to the Minister of the DTIC, and the Benguela Current Commission, a collaborative environmental body with South Africa, Angola, and Namibia. 

 As a co-author of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and numerous other mining and energy-related policies, Ntokozo has played a key role in shaping South Africa's legal framework for these sectors, contributing to the balance between resource development, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Recently successfully drafted and presented to Parliament the Amended Electricity regulation Amendment Act (ERA) which will enable the liberalisation of the electricity market in South Africa and the first ever Petroleum Resources Development Bill (UPRDB) in South Africa. The ERA Bill was signed into law by President in August this year while the UPRDB awaits Presidential assent. She is currently leading a team that is reviewing the MPRDA to strengthen transformation agenda in the mining sector. 

 

Oheneba Nana Kwaku Duah

Mining in Motion

Prince of the Ashanti Kingdom & Founder of Mining in Motion

Prof Jef Caers

Professor of Earth & Planetary Science

Stanford Mineral-X

Jef Caers received both an MSc (’93) in mining engineering / geophysics and a PhD (’97) in mining engineering from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. Currently, he is Professor of Earth and Planetary at Stanford University. Jef Caers has pioneered research on data science, artificial intelligence and decision making under uncertainty in developing Earth resources. As the founder of Stanford Mineral-X, Prof. Caers collaborates with the mineral exploration industry to reduce cost and improve discovery. Jef Caers has authored six books on data science and decision making that blend academic rigor with practical industrial applications. He was awarded the Krumbein Medal of the International Association of Mathematical Geosciences for his career achievement. 

Puso Thahane

Partner

BCG

Puso Thahane is a Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in South Africa and a member of the firm’s Industrial Goods practice. He leads BCG’s Mining Operations Excellence Hub in Africa, where he works with mining and metals companies to drive transformative operational performance. His expertise spans operational excellence, enterprise-wide transformation, and the deployment of digital and advanced analytics solutions that deliver measurable productivity and efficiency improvement.

Robert Schlotterer

Manager, Policy & Regulations of the World Bank Group’s Metals and Minerals Department

World Bank

Robert is the Manager, Policy & Regulations, Metals and Minerals Department at the World Bank Group. He has held multiple positions at the World Bank Group across several regions, as well as global practices and corporate assignments, including Lead Infrastructure Finance Specialist and Manager of the Agile Bank Program in the WB MDO’s Strategic Initiatives Unit. He also served as an Operations Adviser in the South Asia Region (SAR). Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Schlotterer was a Vice President for commercial Export & Project Finance origination with KFW IPEX-Bank, Germany. 

Rohitesh Dhawan

President & CEO

ICMM

Rohitesh “Ro” Dhawan is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). He leads the Council of 26 CEOs of the world’s largest mining & metals companies in voluntary leadership actions that raise the standards of responsible mining. Under his leadership, ICMM has undertaken landmark commitments and action on critical sustainable development issues, including the first industry-wide commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions, the first collective commitment of any sector on nature positive, pioneering actions on diversity, equity and inclusion, and significant steps towards transparency of the industry’s contribution and performance, including on tax and contract disclosure. Ro is a Fellow and faculty member of the Africa Leadership Initiative and a Raisina fellow at the Asian Forum on Global Governance. He serves on the Advisory Boards of the Columbia Centre for Sustainable Investment, Concordia, and Resolve. He has served on the UK Government’s Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (PACT) Programme and was named one of South Africa’s climate change leaders for his work with the country’s mining sector. Ro hold a Master’s in Environmental Change & Management from the University of Oxford in the UK and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Rhodes University in South Africa. 

Samaila Zubairu

CEO

AFC

Mr. Samaila Zubairu has championed African value capture, job creation, and industrialization, directing billions into transformative infrastructure over three decades. As President & CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) for seven years, he has doubled country membership, more than quadrupled investments, including the largest renewable energy acquisition on the continent, and more than tripled profits as of 2024 year-end. Mr. Zubairu is committed to fostering sustainable economic transformation in Africa through innovative financing, strategic partnerships, and impactful infrastructure projects. As the pioneer CFO for Dangote Cement Plc, he launched Africa’s largest syndicated project finance facility and managed the unbundling of Dangote Industries Limited. At AfriCapital Management Limited, he partnered with AIIM to develop the Nigerian Infrastructure Investment Fund 1. Mr. Zubairu chairs the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), a platform that brings together Africa’s leading Multilateral Financial Institutions to advance the continent’s economic interests both within member states and on the global stage. His efforts in mobilizing clean energy investment have set global benchmarks for climate action in emerging markets. Mr. Zubairu co-chairs the World Economic Forum (WEF) Network to Mobilize Clean Energy Investment in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies. Under his stewardship, AFC has driven some of the continent’s most ambitious clean energy projects – including Infinity Power – Africa’s largest pure play renewable energy provider focusing on utility-scale solar and on-shore wind technologies. Mr. Zubairu is an Eisenhower Fellow and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Nigeria. He holds a BSc in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University.

Sean Evans

Standard Bank

Sean Evans is a seasoned leader in the mining and metals sector with three decades of experience shaping the industry across Africa. A geologist by training and holder of an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand, Sean began his career as an exploration geologist in West Africa, later serving as a technical consultant, which gave him a blend of technical depth and strategic insight. Since joining Standard Bank in 2006, Sean has been instrumental in structuring and delivering landmark transactions across multiple commodities and jurisdictions, leveraging the Bank’s footprint in London, New York, the UAE, and China. In his current role as Executive Vice President within Client Coverage, Sean leads Standard Bank’s Platinum Group Metals and Diamond portfolio. Beyond mining, Sean is at the forefront of sustainability and energy transition initiatives, guiding clients and the Bank in embedding ESG principles and supporting Africa’s journey toward a low-carbon future. Sean’s insights draw on a career that bridges technical expertise, financial innovation, and sustainability leadership, making him a credible voice on the future of mining and its role in shaping Africa’s growth story.

Sean Gilbertson

CEO

Gemfields

Sean Gilbertson graduated as a mining engineer from Wits University in South Africa having spent time in the country’s deep level gold and platinum mines. Mr Gilbertson worked as project financier for Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt and London specialising in independent power projects and public/private partnerships. In 1998, Mr Gilbertson co-founded globalCOAL, a company that played a central role in the commoditisation of the thermal coal industry, and was appointed chief executive officer in 2001 when the business was acquired by industry players including Anglo American plc, BHP Billiton plc, Glencore International AG and Rio Tinto plc. He was also co-founder of the pioneering Spectron eMetals trading platform for category I and II members of the London Metals Exchange. Mr Gilbertson was a co-founder of the Pallinghurst Group and was primarily responsible for Pallinghurst’s coloured gemstone strategy from 2006 to 2017. After the unbundling of the Pallinghurst Group in 2018, Mr Gilbertson was appointed CEO of Gemfields Group Limited on 31 March 2018 and remains CEO of Gemfields Limited and Kagem Mining Limited, and Chairman of Fabergé Limited, on whose boards he has served for more than a decade.

Sibongile Ntsoelengoe

Executive: Mining

CSIR

Sibongile (Bongi) Ntsoelengoe is a seasoned mining executive with over 20 years of experience across the mining value chain, spanning operations, digital transformation, marketing, research and innovation, and strategy development. With a strong technical background in metallurgical and process engineering, she has led people-centred technology and innovation roadmaps that enabled solution adoption, improved safety, strengthened operational excellence, and advanced sustainable mining practices. Previously, as Manager of Technology at Kumba Iron Ore (Anglo American), Bongi developed and executed an integrated technology and innovation strategy, building a high-performing team that successfully deployed  and diffused innovative solutions supporting the organisation’s modernisation journey. She currently serves as Executive Cluster Manager for Future Production: Mining at the CSIR, South Africa’s leading multidisciplinary science council. In this role, she drives applied research, bespoke technology development, and ecosystem strengthening, forging partnerships across industry, government, and technology suppliers. Her work advances best-practice development, standard-setting, sustainability, circularity, and inclusive industrial growth. She recently contributed to the G20 Critical Minerals Framework and national RDI revitalisation efforts. Bongi also serves as a Non-Executive Director at Fraser Alexander and a SAIMM Council Member. She is deeply committed to mentoring young talent and championing an innovative, inclusive, and future-ready mining sector. 

Susannah McLaren

Head of Responsible Sourcing & Sustainability

Cobalt Institute

Susannah leads the Cobalt Institute’s Responsible Sourcing and Sustainability strategy, bringing over 20 years of cross-sector experience, including in the extractives and minerals sectors. She serves as Vice Chair of the Board of the Global Battery Alliance and sits on several key advisory bodies, including the DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum, Drive+ and the OECD Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group. She also represents the Cobalt Institute across a range of influential international platforms, the Voluntary Principles Initiative, ICMM, and Eurometaux.
Previously, Susannah held roles at the LBMA and at Shift, gaining deep expertise in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and OECD due diligence. Her earlier career includes a decade with a global engineering firm as Head of Social Sustainability.

Tebello Chabana

Senior Executive: Public Affairs & Transformation

Minerals Council South Africa

Tebello is an admitted attorney with the earlier part of his career focusing on labour and commercial law. He has a career, spanning c.24 years, in the mining industry with experience in social development, business and human rights, reputation management, strategic communication, public relations, mining policy and advocacy. He has dealt with delicate issues such as the negotiation of BEE policy and targets with various regulators and stakeholders. His mining policy and regulatory experience traverses many commodities, local and foreign mining jurisdictions. He has successfully managed public and stakeholder relations during high profile industry disputes and litigation. He prides himself on seeking sustainable win-win solutions to mining industry challenges for the benefit of the country. He is a strong believer in ethics, and ethical values as a basis for leadership and coexistence at the workplace.

Tony Carroll

Executive Advisory Board Member

Mining Indaba

With over 35 years as a corporate lawyer & business advisor in the areas of international trade and investment, Tony is keenly focused on sub-Saharan Africa. His passion for Africa, its business and overall development date back to his Peace Corps service in Botswana in the late 1970s. 

He has served as a member of multiple boards including the Africa advisory boards at EXIM Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the U.S. Trade Representative; and was also a congressional nominee to the Board of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Victoria Backhaus-Jerling

CEO

AAAM

Victoria Backhaus-Jerling is the CEO of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), the leading organization dedicated to driving Africa’s automotive industrialization and sustainable growth. Under her leadership, AAAM fosters global collaboration, strengthens regional value chains, and champions policies that unlock Africa’s potential as a competitive automotive manufacturing hub. The association plays a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s mobility landscape by facilitating strategic partnerships, promoting intra- African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and advocating for affordable and sustainable mobility solutions. Before joining AAAM, Victoria led the South African Project Office of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), where she was instrumental in shaping the German automotive sector’s engagement with Africa. Prior to her work in the automotive industry, she supported the Head of the Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Affairs at the German Parliament in Berlin, gaining valuable experience in government relations and policy development. With a deep understanding of international automotive dynamics and African market opportunities, Victoria is committed to positioning Africa as a key player in the global automotive industry. She is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Vuslat Bayoglu

CEO

Menar

Vuslat Bayoglu is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of mining investment company Menar, which has controlling stakes in Canyon Coal, Zululand Anthracite Colliery, Kangra and East Manganese. He holds an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and has almost 20 years of experience in the mining industry. During that period, he led the group’s subsidiaries from junior to mid-tier status through organic growth and acquisitions.

Bayoglu is a hands-on investor with a keen interest in bettering the South African economy. He is actively involved in seeking solutions to key issues faced by South Africa. Bayoglu also serves on the board of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) and recently became a director sitting on the board of the World Coal Association.