Critical Minerals

Ntokozo Nzimande

DDG: Policy, Global Relations and Investment Promotion

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 is in the process of completing a Master’s degree in Energy Leadership at 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 board member at Hyve, the UK-based 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.

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Inga Petersen

Executive Director

Global Battery Alliance

Inga Petersen is an experienced sustainability professional with over fifteen years’ expertise in natural resource management, governance and public-private partnerships. She started her career delivering technical assistance projects to enhance the development dividends of the mining sector. She worked directly with governments and donors, designing and managing extractive industries governance projects across Africa and Asia. This allowed her to witness the opportunities and challenges related to natural resource extraction first hand. She subsequently worked with global business leaders and policy makers at the World Economic Forum to lead the mining and metals sector’s transition to a sustainable world. Prior to joining the GBA as Executive Director, Inga acted as Senior Extractives Adviser to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).  

Inga holds a Bachelor from the University of Bath, a Masters in International Relations & International Security from the Institute of Political Science (Sciences Po), Paris and an Executive Master in Global Leadership from the World Economic Forum (WEF). 

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Bronwyn Barnes

CEO

Ivanhoe Atlantic

Bronwyn has successfully led exploration and mining projects internationally over a 28-year career with extensive experience working across African jurisdictions, with a focus on West Africa.
Previously Bronwyn was the Deputy CEO of privately held Guinean bauxite developer AMC Bauxite.
Holding senior leadership roles Bronwyn has worked with BHP, Fortescue and WMC in Australia and has significant ASX-listed company experience as Managing Director, Chairman and major shareholder of several listed entities.
She brings significant experience and connections in working with multilateral investment agencies and Australian/US Governments for infrastructure development funding support.

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Julien Wagner

Head of Special Editorial Products and Media Diversification

Jeune Afrique Media Group

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Nere Emiko

Managing Director

Kian Smith Refinery

Nere Emiko is the Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Kian Smith - a mining and minerals firm. The company is involved in the mine to market gold value chain of Nigeria. It has developed the first gold refinery in Nigeria and pioneered other gold initiatives including SANU- digital tokens for precious metals backed by physical gold and silver from a traceable and consolidated supply chain. The company has also partnered with private consortiums and state govt mining vehicles in developing the value chain for critical minerals including Tin & Lithium. As a strategist, Nere has worked for sustainable solutions in building diverse ecosystems in Mining, Culture & Tourism.

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