Mervin Govender

Executive Head, Technical Services Exxaro Resources

Mervin Govender is a mining executive with over 27 years of experience across mining, engineering, mineral separation, and smelter industries. He holds a BEng (Mechanical), BEng Mining (Hons), and MEng (Mining) from the University of Pretoria, an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch, and completed the Executive Leadership Programme at The University of Texas, Austin. Mervin began his career in the automotive sector in 1992 before transitioning to mining in 2003 as Manager: Capital Projects & Energy at Anglo American’s Namakwa Sands. Following the incorporation of Namakwa Sands into Exxaro Resources in 2006, he progressed through senior leadership roles, including Business Unit Manager for Northern Operations and General Manager of the Grootegeluk Complex. Since 2015, Mervin has been instrumental in driving strategic transformation at Exxaro’s head office. He restructured the Technology function to improve efficiencies and optimise project portfolios, and later, as General Manager: Projects, successfully coordinated multi-disciplinary mega projects to deliver operational excellence and sustainable value. Recognised for his visionary leadership and for leading with excellence and empathy, Mervin is committed to advancing innovation and building resilient mining operations that create long-term growth for stakeholders.