Nellis Bester,Geographical Leader, Ferroglobe PLC & Chairperson, Ferro Alloy Producers Association

Nellis Bester, a qualified Metallurgical Engineer, has been active in the industrial space for more than 30-years and has worked in the Steel industry for more than 10-years and the remainder within the ferroalloys, mining and renewable industries, ranging from Silicon Metal, Ferrosilicon, Foundry products, and Manganese alloys.

Working career both in South Africa and EU within the Ferroalloy industry and Product Management activities. Currently, Geographical Leader of Ferroglobe PLC in SA and the Chairperson for FAPA several terms.

Passionate about the industry in SA and its resurrection from extinction, to become a leading global beneficiation role player again for SA’s local raw materials.

Tiisetso NkosiResearch & Analysis Director: Coal, Metals & Mining, OPIS by McCloskey, a Dow Jones Company

Tiisetso Nkosi leads iron ore and manganese research at McCloskey. She is a mining professional with over 18 years’ experience. She has held roles in strategy, business development, finance, sales and marketing in some of the world’s leading mining companies, including AngloAmerican, Tshipi e Ntle Manganese Mining and Assore. Ms. Nkosi has worked closely with producers and consumers of steel raw materials such as manganese ore and alloy, as well as iron ore.

Tiisetso holds a Bachelor of Business Science in Economics from the University of Cape Town, an MPhil (Futures Studies) from the University of Stellenbosch, and an MSc (International Business Administration), from the University of London.

She is passionate about the representation of all South African miners in significant global platforms that will enhance the value that is inherent in South Africa’s mineral wealth.

Kenneth WilliamsExecutive, Supply Chain & Business Development Lead Makoya Supply Chain Holdings

Kenneth Williams is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in rail logistics, specializing in supply chain optimization and operational excellence. With a career spanning two decades, Kenneth has honed his expertise in the intricate dynamics of rail operations, including 15 years at Transnet SOC, where he held diverse and impactful operational roles.

Kenneth takes pride in having built his career by having “on the job experience “whilst  he has augmented this experience with an International Executive Degree in Railway Operations Management from Glasgow Caledonian University, which has further strengthened his leadership capabilities and strategic understanding of global rail logistics systems.

As the Supply Chain & Business Development Lead at Makoya Supply Chain Holdings, Kenneth has been a driving force in developing innovative Pit-to-Vessel logistics solutions for the mining industry. Through his leadership, deep industry knowledge and collaboration, Makoya has successfully secured new reliable routes to market for the Big 5 Chrome Producers. This has included taking into consideration the key risks that impact the chrome logistics handling, whilst optimizing rail terminal operations and ensuring a seamless and cost-effective supply chain solution.

Kenneth’s ability to deliver strategic solutions, combined with his industry and product knowledge, has ensured he brings new innovative solutions that serve and build the   rail logistics market. His passion for rail logistics has been evidenced by his peers recognising his contribution to the industry that where he continues to drive thought leadership and value creation across the logistics supply chain sector.

Gaurav NagpalChief Marketing Officer, ArcelorMittal South Africa

Gaurav currently serves as Chief Marketing officer at ArcelorMittal South Africa, a JSE-listed large Steel engineering and production company in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has occupied various senior roles with ArcelorMittal group for 21y across South Africa, UK and Europe, with transversal focus on commercial functions, strategy & corporate affairs, global shipping & logistics, finance, M&A, IT, BPO and legal. Gaurav also serves as Board member at the South African Iron & Steel Institute (SAISI), Council member at the Steel & Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) and Board member in several ArcelorMittal subsidiaries. Gaurav is a Metallurgical Engineer from MNIT (Jaipur) and holds a MBA from IIM (Calcutta).

Franck WandjiGroup Executive: Commercial, ArcelorMittal South Africa

Franck currently serves as Commercial Executive at ArcelorMittal South Africa, a JSE-listed large Steel engineering and production company in Sub-Saharan Africa. In his role he oversees the company’s market analytics, commercial strategy & performance, pricing, business development, customer experience, commercial stakeholders, branding and promotion. Franck boasts 18 years experience within the ArcelorMittal Group across Africa, Europe and SE Asia in various disciplines. Prior to joining the Group he also worked in the Banking and Audit sectors. Franck also serves as Board member at the Manufacturing Circle (MC) and the South African International Steel Fabricators institute (ISF), Vice-Chairperson at the Iron & Steel Producers Association of South Africa (ISPA) and Council member at the Steel & Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA). Franck holds a Master of Science in Management from the Excelia Business School (France) and a Global Executive Programme from Duke University (USA).

Laurent MontcoutiéExecutive Director, International Manganese Institute (IMnI)

Laurent has over 25 years of experience in the mining and metals industry. At Eramet, he held senior commercial and general management roles in France and across Asia, ultimately leading the company’s Greater China operations from Shanghai. He later developed Asian trading activities for Swiss metals trader ArrowResources and served as VP Commercial for the European division of South African miner Sibanye-Stillwater. Laurent has been leading the International Manganese Institute (IMnI) since January 2025.

Lucy WangFounder, Beijing LY Metals and Mining Co., Ltd

• PhD student in DPS financial management in Fordham University.
• President of the Northwest Alumni Association of the National School of Development, Peking University.
• Member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization).
• Achieved the Seven World Marathon Majors and completed over thirty marathons.
• Participated in the Gobi 121km challenge of the Xuanzang’s Silk Road Gobi Race.
• Founder of Beijing LY Metals and Mining Co., Ltd.

Japie FullardChief Executive Officer, Glencore Ferroalloys

Japie Fullard is the Chief Executive Officer of Glencore Ferroalloys

since 2019. Japie started his career in 1988 in the Coal Mining Industry as an Apprentice Electrician at Duiker Mining. He qualified
in 1990 and started studying for an Engineer.

Japie moved around in various disciplines and occupations whilst studying and obtained his Government Certificate of Competency in 1995. He practised as Chief Engineer at
various Operations and furthered his studies in Mining Engineering. In 2001 he obtained his Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency and managed various mines as Mine
Manager. He spent more than 17 years in the Coal Mining Industry where he served on both SACEA and SACMA before joining the Ferroalloys Mining Division as General
Manager. In 2008 he took over the role of Head of Mining. Japie is a board member on the South African Minerals Council and has been elected as the Chairman of the CEO Zero
Harm Forum since 2022. Japie was appointed as CEO of Glencore Ferroalloys on 1 January 2019 and still holds the position.

Industry bodies and capacity served / serves on:
South African Coal Engineering Association – Past President (not active)
South African Coal Managers Association – Member (not active)
Mine Managers Association – Member (active)
South Africa Minerals Council – Board Member
Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) – Member – PrEng. (active)

Sanjeev AgarwalJoint President- Commercial and Raw Material, Rashmi Group

Seasoned professional with 30 years experience in Iron & steel industry. Proven commercial excellence in managing complex supply chains, strategy, vendor relationships and multi-million dollar procurement operations across domestic and international markets. Strong leadership skills with focus on commercial excellence.

Dr Nomsa MoyoGeneral Manager, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ)

DR NOMSA JANE MOYO

Dr Nomsa Moyo is the current General Manager for the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) and is a lawyer by profession. She holds a Doctorate degree in Laws (specialising in corporate governance), Masters in Laws, Bachelor of Laws, Full CIS, Bsc Honours in Economics. She worked in various senior roles in the public sector which include Department of Taxes, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Grain Marketing Board and MMCZ (2010-to date). She has also worked as a board member in a number of private and public institutions. Dr Moyo is a member of the Law society of Zimbabwe and Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute of Zimbabwe.

Mzila MthenjaneChief Executive Officer, Minerals Council South Africa

Mr. Mzila Mthenjane 

Business Leader I Mining Sector Executive I Board Member

Mr. Mzila I. Mthenjane (“Mzila”) is the CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa (“MCSA”), the Advocacy and Impact group whose members represent 90% of South Africa’s mineral output and employ close to 480 000 people . He was previously the Executive Head for Stakeholder Affairs at Exxaro Resources Limited. He has more than 30 years’ combined experience in the resources business (Gold, Platinum and Coal) and investment banking (Corporate and Project Finance).

He has held various board positions as non-executive director in various entities including Pamodzi Gold Limited, Fraser Alexander, Impact Catalyst, Merafe Resources, and Student Support Programme. He was on the Exxaro Executive Committee, intimately involved in stakeholder engagements and strategy.

He is the current Chairman of the Board of the Impact Catalyst and is the former Chairman of the Wits University Mining Engineers Association (WUMEA) and the former President of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM).

Mr. Mthenjane holds a BSc degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits). He has completed various leadership development training including the Senior Management Development Programme from the Graduate Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT), the ABSIP leadership programme with GIBS and Advanced Management Programme (AMP), with INSEAD.

His leadership acumen has greatly benefited his current role, drawing on his experiences in building and retaining harmonious yet robust relationships with diverse stakeholder groupings, and developing successful sustainable impact approaches.

He has been in the role of CEO for just over 2 years driving a shared vision of growth for the mining industry and its positive impact to the South African economy. He also represents the Minerals Council on the Board of the Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa (MIASA), driving the agenda on positive regional impact of the mining industry.

Richard LilleikeExecutive Head of Strategy and Business Development, Exxaro Resources

Richard Lilleike, Strategy and Business Development, Exxaro Resources. Richard has a BSc Engineering (Electromechanical) from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from the University of Witwatersrand. Richard is currently the Executive Head of Strategy and Business Development, tasked with executing Exxaro’s diversification strategy and implementing and managing the company’s strategy. Prior to joining Exxaro, Richard was an experienced M&A specialist with over 25 years of management consulting and investment banking experience at Standard Chartered Bank and Marsh McLennan. His formative years were with Eskom as an engineer in training and later power station system engineer.

Walter ShamuChief Operating Officer, MC Mining

Hlengiwe MotaungSenior Africa Reporter, McCloskey by OPIS, a Dow Jones Company

Hlengiwe Motaung is McCloskey’s metals reporter based in Johannesburg, where she covers key news on manganese and other green metals, as well as rail and port activities in Southern Africa, producing monthly reports on trucking and rail pricing.

With nearly a decade of experience in journalism, Hlengiwe began her career in 2017 at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as a producer for a current affairs radio station. She developed her skills in delivering impactful content to audiences.

Her noteworthy contributions in television journalism were recognized while she worked as a reporter for Africa News Network. Driven by her passion for broadcasting, Hlengiwe served as the English correspondent and associate producer for Japan’s National Broadcaster in Johannesburg, covering humanitarian stories across Africa.

In 2021, she made valuable contributions as a freelance writer for the Washington Post, reporting on political tensions in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Her experience as a multimedia journalist for Mining Review Africa has further deepened her understanding of the African mining sector.

Hlengiwe holds a Financial Journalism qualification from The University of Witwatersrand and a National Diploma in Journalism from Tshwane University of Technology.

Walter Hislop AndersonChief Executive Officer, Hislop Anderson Commodities

Walter Anderson, Chief Executive Officer – Hislop Anderson Commodities

Walter Anderson is the CEO of both Anderson Commodities. He has been actively involved in trading of reductants for the last 14 years and has a vast knowledge of global anthracite production with specific focus on South African anthracite. He heads up a company actively involved in the supply of thermal coal, anthracite, met coke and Carbon Neutral Reductants (CNR).

Ranjana von WendlandAssociate Director, Global Business Development, Steel Raw Materials, McCloskey by OPIS, A Dow Jones Company

Associate Director, Global Business Development, Steel Raw Materials at McCloskey by OPIS, A Dow Jones Company

Ranjana handles the global business development for the Steel Raw Materials including the Ores and Alloys. She has spent nearly a decade in the coal, metals and mining space focussing on met coal, met coke, anthracite and PCI. She has launched pricing assessments for met coke relevant to the Latin American and European markets.  Prior to McCloskey she worked in European energy risk management and energy publishing services. Ranjana has a Masters in Financial Journalism from City, University of London, UK and MBA in International Business from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi.

Rohan Baid,Associate Director (Ores & Alloys), McCloskey by OPIS, A Dow Jones Company

Rohan Baid, Associate Director (Ores & Alloys), McCloskey by OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Rohan leads McCloskey’s Ores and Ferro Alloys vertical, overseeing market coverage across chrome, manganese, and other ferro alloys. Rohan has an established track record in commodities research and analysis across different verticals of the Iron and Steel industry. He now drives strategic market intelligence at McCloskey, part of Dow Jones. Rohan’s current focus is building the industry’s most insightful alternative to legacy price reporting agencies in ores and alloys.

Brad RogersManaging Director & Chief Executive Officer, Jupiter Mines Ltd

Brad Rogers was appointed Managing Director and CEO of Jupiter Mines Ltd in August 2022.

Brad is a highly experienced mining sector executive. Prior to his appointment at Jupiter Mines, Mr Rogers held the position of Managing Director of Bis Industries for 7 years from 2015, having been a part of Bis’ senior leadership team since 2008. Prior to Bis, Brad worked as head of corporate development for gold mining, infrastructure and engineering company GRD Limited and as a strategy consultant for Mainsheet Corporate and Arthur Andersen.

Charles DednamSecretary General, South African Iron & Steel Institute (SAISI)

Independent Strategist | Steel Industry Expert | Business Consultant
Charles Dednam is a seasoned strategist with over 40 years of experience in the steel industry. He is the founder and director of CD Research and Business Strategy Consulting, where he provides independent advisory services in steel marketing, business planning, and trade policy. Formerly Group Manager of Steel Marketing at ArcelorMittal South Africa, he has led numerous high-impact projects across Southern Africa, including feasibility studies, tariff assessments, and strategic development plans. He also serve as Managing Executive/Secretary General of the South African Iron and Steel Institute and contributed to the national Steel Masterplan.

Terry PerlesPresident, TTP Squared LLC

Mr. Perles holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.  In 1988, Mr. Perles joined vanadium producer Stratcor and has been focused on the vanadium industry for the past 37 years, with roles in sales, marketing, strategic planning and senior management at Stratcor, Evraz Group, US Vanadium LLC and Atlantic International, the owners of the Windimurra Vanadium project.  Mr Perles chairman of the Vanadium International Technical Committee (VANITEC) Market Development Committee.

In March 2010, Mr. Perles established TTP Squared, Inc., a vanadium industry consulting firm.

Thembelani GantshoManaging Director, Orestralis

Thembelani Gantsho currently Managing Director of Orestralis. Previously he was the Chief Executive Officer of Kudumane Manganese Resources and prior to joining Kudumane, he was the VP of Mining and Metals at Absa Capital, and he was responsible for several mining and metals clients across various commodities. He has managed, structured, and executed numerous corporate finance transactions within South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa as part of the various executive and senior roles he has held at Absa Capital, Xstrata (now Glencore) and Ernst & Young. Thembelani has and continues to be a regular speaker in international mining and metals conferences. He holds a Business Science Honours Degree in Finance from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and PGDip from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

Waheed SulaimanHead of Special Projects, Menar

Waheed Sulaiman has over twenty years of extensive experience in the mining industry, working across various commodities and geographies. His professional journey has encompassed pivotal roles in production, technology, strategy, projects, and business development. Over the last eight years, he has held diverse C-suite positions in both public and private companies.

Throughout his international assignments, Waheed has undertaken significant projects such as building pilot-scale copper plants in Chile, establishing a greenfield manganese mine in Gabon, evaluating a nickel operation in Turkey, and formulating marketing plans for ground support solutions targeted at African mines.

Waheed has successfully managed all facets of commercial transactions, demonstrating his proficiency from conceptualization to closure. Notably, the cumulative value of transactions overseen exceeded US$2 billion between 2006 and 2009.

In the period from 2015 to 2019, Waheed led a publicly traded coal business, achieving remarkable growth by increasing annual run-of-mine production from 1 million to 6 million tons. During his tenure, post-tax profits surged from R50 million to over R200 million. He also played a key role in raising more than R600 million in equity and bank funding for the acquisition of another listed company.

Before assuming the role of Head of Special Projects at Menar, he served as the head of the Africa business for a global manufacturer specializing in ground support products.

Neusa Monjane SarangaCommercial Director, Maputo Port

Neusa Monjane Saranga is a dynamic legal and commercial executive with over two decades of experience spanning the maritime, transport, and logistics sectors. She holds a Master’s in Shipping Law from the University of Cape Town and is a recent graduate of the Senior Executive Programme at the London Business School.

Neusa launched her career in 2004 with a marine crewing company in Cape Town, before moving to a leading Maputo law firm and later broadening her expertise in logistics at a prominent Mozambican logistics company. She then advanced her international experience in London, joining a specialist shipping law firm.

On returning to Mozambique, Neusa joined the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), where she now serves as Commercial Director. In this role, she drives cargo growth, customer acquisition, and strategic partnerships to enhance the port’s competitiveness across Southern Africa.

Passionate about gender equality and transformative governance, Neusa is actively preparing for board appointments, where she aims to leverage her legal acumen, commercial insight, and global perspective to champion change and open doors for women in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Min TangDirector of International Business, Rongke Power

Min Tang is a seasoned executive with over a decade of experience in the renewable energy and commodity trading sectors. As Director of RKP International — a global leader in vanadium flow battery (VFB) energy storage solutions — he leads the company’s global strategy, business model innovation, partner engagement, and market expansion initiatives.

Over his career, Min Tang has held senior leadership roles managing commodity trade operations with annual transaction volumes exceeding USD 1.5 billion. He has also played a pivotal role in establishing green finance initiatives and projects, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable development.

With extensive international experience, Min Tang has collaborated with major corporations such as Saudi Aramco, Siemens Energy, and Glencore on strategic projects. His vision and execution have enabled RKP to establish a robust global distribution network, encompassing both subsidiaries and strategic partnerships.

Dedicated to accelerating sustainable development, Min Tang combines advanced technology integration with innovative business strategies. His adaptability across diverse business environments and expertise in building scalable, forward-looking business models position him as a valuable contributor to the global energy storage industry.

Bonginkosi MabasoGeneral Manager: Group Commercial, Transnet S.O.C. Ltd

Mr Bonginkosi Mabaso is an accomplished executive with global executive experience in new business development, commercial, risk and strategy and capacity creation in the freight, rail, finance, manufacturing, mining, and metals sectors. He is a strong implementor, who collaborates, negotiates, and solves complex commercial business matters.

Formerly Chief Commercial Officer for the rail division in Transnet, Bonginkosi has recently taken up the Group General Manager: Commercial role for Transnet SOC Ltd. In this role, he is responsible for developing and leading the execution of the Group’s commercial and capacity creating strategies. This entails maximising profitability and growth through integrated business development.

nsible for defining and selecting appropriate business/product opportunities. He is the custodian of customer relationships, and provides market insights which guide business modelling, strategic alliances, partnerships and long term planning for new client acquisitions. Bonginkosi serves as lead negotiator for the organisation’s revenue contracts.

Randy FabiEMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS

Randy is EMEA Editor for McCloskey, leading a team of reporters focused on the growing trade flows between Africa and Asia. A veteran reporter/editor with more than two decades of experience. His previous postings include Washington, London, Abuja, Singapore and Jakarta with stints in scores of other cities. Randy is currently based in the UK.

Ruan NothnagelChief Commercial Officer, Menar

Ruan Nothnagel is the Chief Commercial Officer at Menar, a South African mining company with an actively managed and growing portfolio of diversified minerals, which has controlling stakes in Canyon Coal, Kangra, Springlake Colliery, Zululand Anthracite Colliery and East Manganese. The company also jointly owns Khwela Capital, which recently concluded the acquisition of Khwelamet, a manganese alloy smelter complex in Meyerton, Gauteng.

He is a Chartered Accountant with 16 years of experience in various industries, including finance, mining, commodities trading and automotive. Nothnagel has worked in five countries across four continents and is passionate about facilitating business growth through operational systems and team development. He holds an honours degree in Accounting Sciences.

John HowlandSenior Vice President and head of McCloskey By OPIS, a Dow Jones Company

McCloskey provides market intelligence, news, price
assessments/benchmarks and analytics/forecasts for the metals and mining supply chain with a focus on thermal coal, steel making raw materials and energy transition metals. Prior to joining Dow Jones he was head of the Coal, Metals and Mining business unit within IHS Markit and joined the company in 2007 through the acquisition of McCloskey of which he was a director. Mr. Howland is
a member of the OPIS leadership team and head of OPIS EMEA.

Bongani G. MotsaActing Chief Economist, Minerals Council

Bongani has over 20 years’ experience as an economist. His experience includes balance of payments compilation and analysis, developing partial and general macroeconometric models to inform the formulation of policy. His passion is real sector economics, including mining and energy. In his current role, Bongani is a senior economist at the Minerals Council of South Africa based in Rosebank, Johannesburg. He focuses on identifying constraints in the mining sector and developing commodity strategies aimed at addressing those bottlenecks. His work involves working with the industry to unlock the mining sector’s potential. It is his belief that an attractive mining policy environment will catalyse growth in the South African economy.

Bongani holds a master’s degree in economics.

Dr James StevensonVice President and Research Lead, Coal, Metals and Mining, McCloskey by OPIS

James Stevenson leads the research and forecasting team for Coal, Metals & Mining within McCloskey. Previously he led Global Coal research, and before that he headed up analysis of North American coal. Dr. Stevenson’s primary expertise includes supply-demand dynamics of coal and iron ore markets, price forecasting, mining and transportation costs, and export logistics and infrastructure. He also has extensive experience in trading of coal, natural gas, and power, as well as being experienced in M&A, having been a part of a number of asset and offtake deals in the coal supply space.

Prior to joining McCloskey’s predecessor IHS Markit, Dr. Stevenson spent six years in coal and power trading, most recently as Vice President, Coal Analysis at Mercuria Energy Trading, and before that as Coal Strategist at Louis Dreyfus Highbridge Energy. He also worked in the energy trading team at Eraring Energy in the Australian utility industry, working primarily in risk management as well as strategy around coal procurement, power sales, and carbon strategy.

Dr. Stevenson holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Sydney in Australia, and a PhD from Yale University.