Bontle Aphane
CEO ArnotOpCo
Bontle Aphane is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Arnot Opco (Pty) Ltd, a company that was established to acquire Arnot Colliery, which is one of the largest coal reserve in Africa, as an employee led transaction upon closure of the colliery in 2015. Heralded as the first transaction of its kind, Bontle has since taken a leadership role with strategic direction and full responsibility of closing the transaction and operationalizing the colliery. With over 13 years of experience in the mining industry, Bontle has gained extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, fund raising, organizational structuring, building strategic relationships and leading day-to-day operations of the mining company. She holds an honours degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pretoria, an Executive Leadership Program from Havard Business School, a Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) for mines and works and professional registration (Pr.Eng) by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
2026 Agenda Sessions
Is the (re)surgency of coal investment real and going to last?
With Trump administration policy now embracing a 'clean coal industry' approach, the global energy debate is shifting once more. For Africa, where coal is abundant and affordable energy source, does this mark a green light for coal investment? This panel will explore if coal investment can align with sustainability mandates of institutional investors and whether new coal developments can coexist with Just Energy Transition (JET) commitments.
Monday 09 February 14:00 - 14:45 River Nile Stage (CTICC1 - Ground Floor - Investment Village)
Critical minerals
Investment
With Trump administration policy now embracing a 'clean coal industry' approach, the global energy debate is shifting once more. For Africa, where coal is abundant and affordable energy source, does this mark a green light for coal investment? This panel will explore if coal investment can align with sustainability mandates of institutional investors and whether new coal developments can coexist with Just Energy Transition (JET) commitments.
River Nile Stage (CTICC1 - Ground Floor - Investment Village) Africa/JohannesburgReimagining mining partnerships through empathy
Step into the “veil of ignorance” – an experiment CEOs speakers temporarily shed their identities and biases to adopt the roles of other stakeholders in the mining ecosystem.
From community leaders and regulators to industry bodies and investors, each CEO will embody a perspective not their own, challenging assumptions and fostering deeper understanding.
Through moderated dialogue and immersive role-play, the session will explore:
- How decisions might shift if stakeholders were unaware of their own position or power
- What true partnership looks like when empathy precedes strategy
- How this exercise can inform more inclusive policy, investment, and operational frameworks
Tuesday 10 February 09:00 - 10:20 Table Mountain Stage (CTICC1 - Ground Floor - Exhibition Hall)
Leadership
Step into the “veil of ignorance” – an experiment CEOs speakers temporarily shed their identities and biases to adopt the roles of other stakeholders in the mining ecosystem.
From community leaders and regulators to industry bodies and investors, each CEO will embody a perspective not their own, challenging assumptions and fostering deeper understanding.
Through moderated dialogue and immersive role-play, the session will explore:
- How decisions might shift if stakeholders were unaware of their own position or power
- What true partnership looks like when empathy precedes strategy
- How this exercise can inform more inclusive policy, investment, and operational frameworks
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