Speakers & Panelist

Lebogang MotsepeBusiness Development Manager , Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC)

Lebo Motsepe’s career started as a geologist at the Council for Geoscience and has spanned over 25 years, this within the mining and financial sectors. She is currently a Business Development Manager within the Mining and Metals business unit of the IDC where she applies her extensive knowledge in project and structured finance and mergers and acquisitions. She’s passionate about transformation evidenced by her overseeing the many approved black-owned business transactions, mainly in coal.

Lebo is a member of the Junior Mining Exploration Fund’s approval committee. The Fund seeks to enable junior mining businesses to access funding to conduct prospecting work in the promotion of economic inclusion.

She is a highly motivated and results-driven professional. As a graduate from UCT and GIBS, she has a sound academic background and excellent experience in the different areas of development finance.

Matthew BoyleHead of Market Intelligence and Analytics, Ashon International DMCC

Matthew is the Head of Market Intelligence and Analytics at Ashon International DMCC. Ashon is a commodities trading and logistics company, headquartered in the UAE and with seven international offices globally. Coal is the core product of the global business, as well as specialising in high quality iron ore and petroleum coke products. Matthew is Australian, lived previously in Tokyo, London and Singapore, and has over 20 years’ experience in the dry bulk commodity industry in Analytics and Research, previously working for Vale, Goldman Sachs and Oldendorff.

Zach BoonzaaierResearch Analyst, Global Thermal Coal Research, McCloskey by OPIS, a Dow Jones Company

Zach Boonzaaier joined the McCloskey Thermal Coal Research Team as a Research Analyst in 2024 with a focus on supply and demand analysis for global thermal coal markets. While his primary focus is the analysis of global thermal coal markets, he also covers energy markets more generally. In addition, Zach is responsible for the maintenance of key databases consisting of fundamental thermal coal data. Mr. Boonzaaier has previous experience as an equity analyst with a focus on analysing market and industry trends.
Mr. Boonzaaier holds a BCom Honours degree in Economics and Risk Management from the North-West University of South Africa.

Rendani RabambiHead of Portfolio Marketing & Integrated Sales and Operations Planning, Thungela

Rendani Rabambi is the Head of Portfolio Marketing & Integrated Sales and Operations Planning at Thungela. She leads the end‑to‑end rail, logistics, and sales execution strategy for the business, ensuring seamless pit‑to‑port delivery across Thungela’s value chain. With extensive experience in rail contracting, export logistics, supply chain optimisation, and integrated planning, she has negotiated multiple agreements with Transnet and driven coordinated planning across several major South African mining operations. Rendani also serves as an RBCT OPCO member and an Alternate Board Member of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

Caroline ShirindzaExecutive Head: Coal Operations, Exxaro

Hon. Mr. Gwede MantasheMinister for Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources

Official Biography of the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources

Mr Samson Gwede Mantashe was born on the 21^st of June 1955 in the village of Lower Cala in the then Transkei (now Eastern Cape Province). He cut his teeth as an activist in the Student Christian Movement (SCM)

Minister Mantashe received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 1997, where he also completed a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in 2002. He holds a Masters’ degree from the University of Witwatersrand (WITS), acquired in 2008. He successfully completed the Master of Business Administration through MANCOSA in 2021. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Leadership degree with UNISA’s Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL).

In 1975, he was employed as the Recreation Officer at the Western Deep Levels mine and, in the same year, moved to Prieska Copper Mines where he served as the Welfare Officer until 1982.

Working at the Matla Colliery in 1982, Mr Mantashe co-founded and became the Witbank branch chairperson of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), a position he held until 1984. In 1985, he was elected as the NUM Regional Secretary. A skilled mineworker and leader, Mr Mantashe served as the NUM’s National Organiser from 1988 to 1993; and became the Regional Coordinator between 1993 and 1994.

From 1994 to 1998, Mr Mantashe served as the Assistant General Secretary of the NUM, whereupon he was elected as the first worker General Secretary at the union’s congress in 1998.

For his first stint in government, Mr Mantashe was elected Councillor in the Ekurhuleni Municipality in 1995 where he served until 1999. In 1995, he became the first trade unionist to be appointed to the Board of Directors of a Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed company, namely, Samancor.

In May 2006, he relinquished his position as the General Secretary of the NUM at the union’s 12^th National Congress. In the same year, Mr Mantashe was appointed as the Executive Director at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) where, for a period of two years, he served as the Chairperson of the Technical Working Group of the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA).

In 2007, Mr Mantashe was elected as the Chairperson of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and served as a member of the Party’s Central Committee. In December 2007, he was elected as the Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC) at the party’s 52^nd National Conference. He was re-elected to the same position in 2012. At the ANC’s 54^th National Conference, in 2017, Mr Mantashe was elected as the National Chairperson. He was re-elected to the same position in 2022.

Mr Mantashe was appointed Minister of Mineral Resources in February 2018. Following the 6^th democratic elections in 2019, and with the expansion of the Ministry to include Energy, he was appointed as the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy in May 2019. He currently serves as the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

Sanghyub YooSenior Manager - Fuel Procurement & Development Department, Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.

I am responsible for buying high CV Coal and anthracite. I oversee around 7,000,000 tons of high CV and 500,000 tons of anthracite annually.

I have worked at Korea East-West Power Company for 18 years, I am experienced in vessel operations, managing coal stock levels and building a buying strategy in  terms of economic procurement. EWP is one of the 5 state-owned power company in South Korea.

Bernard DaltonExecutive Head of Marketing, Thungela

Bernard is a seasoned marketing professional with more than 35 years of experience in the mining and metals industries, having spent a number of years with BHP Billiton Aluminium, BHP Energy Coal and South 32. He has worked in Singapore on commodity trading and risk management, is known for his extensive commercial knowledge and is a director at RBCT. In his most recent role as Group Manager Marketing and Sales for South 32, he established the marketing strategy and structure for domestic and export sales across Johannesburg and London.

Moses MadondoChief Executive Officer, Thungela

Moses is a seasoned mining executive with more than 25 years of strategic and operational leadership experience. He has held senior roles at De Beers Group and AngloGold Ashanti and serves on several boards, including the Minerals Council South Africa. He has experience in managing large teams, a track record of successfully turning around operations and improving safety, and the ability to drive performance.

Alan WallerChief Executive Officer. Richards Bay Coal Terminal (Proprietary) Limited

Alan Waller is a Chartered Accountant and completed his articles with Deloitte.  He held various financial positions within Mondi Craft and moved to Richards Bay Coal Terminal (Pty) Ltd in 2005 where he held the position of General Manager Finance until 2016 when he was appointed to his current position of Chief Executive Officer.

Willie HattinghHead - Mining and Resources Advisory, RMBSA Investment Banking Division (IBD)

• Post articles with Deloitte, Willie gained extensive experience in the mining and resources sector in various management and executive positions at DRD Gold, Glencore, Xstrata and MC Mining, locally and internationally. This included 5 years where he headed up Xstrata Coal’s thermal coal marketing in the Atlantic region to customers in South Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He was involved in the marketing and trading  of physical coal, trading financial derivatives and managing the coal logistics chain.​
• Willie has spent more than 10 years in Corporate Finance Advisory and heads up Rand Merchant Bank’s Mining and Resources Corporate Finance Advisory team.
• B.Com Hons (Accounting Sciences), CTA, Chartered Accountant CA(SA)

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.

Gavin BoyesManaging Director, Opack

Gavin Boyes | Managing Director – Opack

Gavin began his career with the MacPhail Group in 1990. Having represented the Group in various capacities throughout South Africa, including the position of National Sales and Marketing Manager, he was appointed  Director of Coalbrite, a subsidiary of the Macphail group, in 2006. Gavin was then headhunted by the Wescoal Group to establish new markets in both the Western and Eastern Cape regions, under the banner of Chandler Coal. Gavin joined Onnyx Network Holdings in 2015,    as managing Director of its trading activities, under the banner of Opack (Pty) Ltd,.He has 28 years  of experience in the domestic and industrial coal markets.

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.

Dr Maximilian MatschkeManaging Partner, Anura Partners

Dr. Maximilian Matschke is the Managing Partner of Anura Partners, a Swiss–South African strategy consultancy with offices in Gaborone, Johannesburg, and Zurich, and the first international strategy consulting firm to establish a permanent presence in Botswana. A Munich-born strategist and economist, he advises governments and corporates across infrastructure, mining, rail logistics, investments, and education in Southern Africa and Europe. Under his leadership, Anura Partners has delivered major work on the Mmamabula–Lephalale rail corridor in Botswana and contributes to manoeuvring reforms in South Africa, focusing on open access and concession models. His PhD on youth unemployment in Africa combines economics, ethnography, and scenario planning—reflecting his broader mission to align data-driven strategy with Africa’s long-term development goals.

Bongani ButheleziChief Operating Officer, Fraser Alexander

Bongani Buthelezi is an accomplished Chief Operating Officer with extensive experience in mining operations. He specialises in enhancing operational efficiency to maximise output at minimal cost through the integration of technology and a disciplined operational framework. His expertise spans Open Cast and Hydraulic mining operations, with a deep understanding of all core mining functions.
Currently, Bongani serves as the COO at Fraser Alexander, a role he has held since December 2021 and collaborates closely with the CEO to establish and drive the organisation’s vision, operational strategy, and talent acquisition efforts. He translates strategic goals into actionable plans that drive performance and growth, focusing on company-wide goal setting, performance management, and annual planning. Before this, he was the Executive Head of MP Operations at Fraser Alexander for 1 year, where he was instrumental in driving operational excellence across multiple sites.
Before joining Fraser Alexander, Bongani held various leadership positions in Anglo American.
In his current role, he oversees company operations and works to enhance employee productivity by creating a highly inclusive culture that supports team success and ensures organisational targets are met.

Yolisa KaniChief Business Development Officer, Transnet Group Commercial SOC

Ms. Yolisa Kani is Transnet’s Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) and is responsible for Group Commercial looking after Transnet’s Top 20 customers, identifying and pursuing new and diversified business opportunities locally and within the African region amongst other things. In her role as CBDO, Ms. Kani works closely with all Transnet Operating Divisions to lead and support, customer integration and relations and business growth, expanding Transnet’s footprint domestically and internationally through private-sector partnerships.

Dan MashigoGeneral Manager, Primary Energy Division - Eskom

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.

Dr Mpumelelo MkhabelaChairman, Menar

Mpumelelo Mkhabela is the Chairman of 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 an experienced business leader, a political economy analyst, and a seasoned media practitioner. Mkhabela has multiple qualifications including a PhD in Political Science, an MA in International Politics, and a BA in Journalism (Hons). He is the former chairman of the South African National Editors’ Forum and a published author.

Adv. Michelle PhillipsGroup Chief Executive of Transnet SOC Ltd

Adv. Michelle Phillips is the current Group Chief Executive of Transnet SOC Ltd and was appointed
into this role effective 1 March 2024. She has 26 years’ experience in Transnet with a proven
track record in business and operations improvement.

Since her appointment, Michelle has been instrumental in the stabilisation of Transnet and the
positioning of the organisation for growth in a dynamic logistics environment. She has played a
key role in Transnet’s navigation of complex challenges requiring proactive engagement with
multiple stakeholders to build trust.

During her tenure, Transnet has successfully implemented an 18-month Recovery Plan, leading
to notable operational and financial gains, including improvements in rail volumes, port
performance, capital expenditure and financial performance. As far as institutional reforms and
private sector participation are concerned, major milestones under her watch include the vertical
separation of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) into an operating company and an infrastructure
manager, marking a crucial step towards the implementation of third-party access into the
country’s rail network.

A key focus for Transnet has been the replenishment of critical port infrastructure to improve
efficiency and reduce congestion and increase capacity at the ports.
Before assuming her role as Group Chief Executive, Michelle was Chief Executive of Transnet
Pipelines, a company that manages and operates 3 800km of underground, high pressure
petroleum and gas pipelines. In this role, she was responsible for ensuring security of supply to
the market. She has spent over 20 years in the port environment, in roles such as Legal Advisor,
General Manager: Commercial and Planning, and eventually Acting Chief Executive of Transnet
Port Terminals.

Michelle is an admitted Advocate of the High Court with a B Juries LLB from the Nelson Mandela
University (Port Elizabeth). She has successfully completed various executive development
leadership programmes through GIBS and IMD, as well as attended several international port
operations programmes.

Günter BeckerSenior Partner & Chief Underwriting Officer, Blackwood Capital Partners

Günter Becker is a mining engineer and insurance executive with over 35 years of international experience across mining operations, risk management, and specialized insurance. A graduate of RWTH Aachen University and an Associate of the Insurance Institute of Canada, he brings a unique blend of technical mining expertise and strategic insight to the global mining risk community.

Beginning his career in operational mining in Germany and West Africa, Günter transitioned to the insurance industry following civil unrest in Liberia. He went on to become a global leader in mining risk underwriting, holding senior roles in Canada and Germany, including over 18 years at Munich Re as Global Head of Mining. There, he built a specialized team focused on mining asset protection, operational risk, and long-term project insurability.

Günter is a founding member and former President of the Mining Insurance & Risk Association (MIRA) and a founding shareholder of IMIU. He has helped shape global mining risk standards through advisory roles with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management and the Mining 2030 Commission. He also serves on the Board of the International Cyanide Management Institute, bringing ESG, operational, and financial expertise to sustainable resource development and investment decisions.

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.

Mike TekeGroup Chief Executive Officer - Seriti

Mike Teke is the Group CEO of Seriti Resources Holdings which he co-founded in 2018 and serves as Chairman of FutureCoal Limited. His qualifications include a BA (Ed), B Ed, BA (Hons), and an MBA.

Mike has held HR roles at several companies including Unilever from 1992 to 1994, Bayer from 1994 to 1999, BHP Billiton from 2000 to 2005, and Impala Platinum from 2005 to 2007. Upon his departure from BHP Billiton, he became a founding member of Optimum Coal from 2007 to 2012, where he took on the CEO role, and later Non-Executive Chairman until 2015.

Mike was also the VP of the Chamber of Mines in SA between 2011/12 and subsequently became the President from 2013 to 2017. He became the Chairman of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal Board in 2012 and stepped down in 2016 to become a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. Mike’s term as a Non – Executive Director of Richards Bay Coal Terminal Board ended on 31 December 2022.

Mike serves as Executive Chairman and controlling shareholder of Masimong Group Holdings and Non-Executive Chairman for several companies, including National Airways Corporation (NAC), and Anchor Group. He previously served as the Chairman of the Council at the University of Johannesburg. He was appointed as Professor of Practice at the Johannesburg Business School in 2023.  This title is only conferred on professionals who contribute to UJ’s academic enterprise through their professional expertise. Mike is also a Non-Executive Director of ARB, DNI, Halewood, Mouton Citrus and KWV.