Marna Cloete
President 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.
2025 Agenda Sessions
Future-Proofing African mining today - Uncovering the Top 5 elements for success
- The government factor: A landscape that offers investment-friendly options for increased infrastructure development spend, improved permitting processes and downstream value-addition is the dream. Can it be turned Into reality?
- The investment factor: Future demand for metals has never looked brighter, but are investors willing to provide the required capital at every stage of the mining life cycle?
- The community factor: Mining means job creation and economic opportunities, but is that enough to win the support of local communities for new projects?
- The talent factor: Artificial intelligence holds the future to technology adoption in mining - is tomorrow's mining generation prepared at a tertiary education level for this, and what does their integration with the existing workforce look like?
- The market factor: Are downstream buyers ready to play their part, including buying critical minerals from “risky” jurisdictions?”
Monday 03 February 16:35 - 17:20 CTICC1
Disruptive Discussions
- The government factor: A landscape that offers investment-friendly options for increased infrastructure development spend, improved permitting processes and downstream value-addition is the dream. Can it be turned Into reality?
- The investment factor: Future demand for metals has never looked brighter, but are investors willing to provide the required capital at every stage of the mining life cycle?
- The community factor: Mining means job creation and economic opportunities, but is that enough to win the support of local communities for new projects?
- The talent factor: Artificial intelligence holds the future to technology adoption in mining - is tomorrow's mining generation prepared at a tertiary education level for this, and what does their integration with the existing workforce look like?
- The market factor: Are downstream buyers ready to play their part, including buying critical minerals from “risky” jurisdictions?”
Leader Spotlight – Ivanhoe Mines
Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector.
Tuesday 04 February 12:45 - 13:20 CTICC1
Disruptive Discussions