Hugo Pienaar
Chief Economist Minerals Council South Africa
Hugo has more than 20 years’ experience as a macro economist. Before that, he was as an economics reporter at Die Burger newspaper in Cape Town. After leaving the media industry and helping to establish a newly formed economic consultancy firm, Hugo spent 17 years at the Bureau for Economic Research, the last five as chief economist. He was the Thomson Reuters South African Economist of the Year in 2014 and the Media24 Economist of the Year in 2021.
In his current role, Hugo leads the economics department at the Minerals Council. He focuses on collecting and analysing data on commodity markets and the South African mining sector, as well as advocating for a more conduce domestic mining policy environment.
Hugo holds a Master’s of Economics degree (cum laude), Stellenbosch University.
2025 Agenda Sessions
Evolving African policy and value - developing a mutually beneficial mineral blueprint
- Are measures to restrict exports of raw minerals increasing local value addition?
- Why are producers increasingly leveraging their minerals towards securing greater local content and participation in domestic mining activities from foreign players?
- Looking at the long-standing regional development protocols, how can partners support sustainable investments into local mining value chains whilst also promoting transparent & equitable policy?
Monday 03 February 15:45 - 16:30 CTICC2
Intergovernmental Summit Track 1
- Are measures to restrict exports of raw minerals increasing local value addition?
- Why are producers increasingly leveraging their minerals towards securing greater local content and participation in domestic mining activities from foreign players?
- Looking at the long-standing regional development protocols, how can partners support sustainable investments into local mining value chains whilst also promoting transparent & equitable policy?
Unlocking South Africa’s energy and logistics for a sustainable mining future
Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane is joined by Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips and Eskom CEO Dan Marokane for an in-depth discussion of the operating environment for mining in South Africa.
The work done jointly through the Presidency between the private sector, government departments and state-owned companies has started yielding positive results in the supply of electricity.
The focus is now on restoring Transnet rail and port services to capacity by including the private sector. Mining is a major user of the services provided by Eskom and Transnet.
The three CEOs will be joined by Mpumi Zikalala, Kumba Iron Ore CEO, as they explore the successes, challenges and opportunities for all three sectors in a discussion moderated by Minerals Council Chief Economist Hugo Pienaar.
Tuesday 04 February 14:00 - 15:00 CTICC1
Industry Intel
The work done jointly through the Presidency between the private sector, government departments and state-owned companies has started yielding positive results in the supply of electricity.
The focus is now on restoring Transnet rail and port services to capacity by including the private sector. Mining is a major user of the services provided by Eskom and Transnet.
The three CEOs will be joined by Mpumi Zikalala, Kumba Iron Ore CEO, as they explore the successes, challenges and opportunities for all three sectors in a discussion moderated by Minerals Council Chief Economist Hugo Pienaar. CTICC1 Africa/Johannesburg
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