21st Annual Southern African Coal Conference
4-6 February, 2026 | The Westin Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa
21st Annual Southern African Coal Conference
4-6 February, 2026 | The Westin Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa
John Howland, Senior Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS
South Africa’s Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa opens the conference with a relevant and topical keynote address on the industry and the Ministry’s status.
Session Chair: John Howland, Senior Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS
Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy
With AI fueling energy demand growth, governments are re-thinking their transition plans and instead seeing coal as a necessary baseload for its expanding energy mix. What is the reality of “energy addition” and how will the coal industry evolve to help power the world’s data centers?
Session Chair: John Howland, Senior Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS
Mike Teke, Chairman, Future Coal
Have a question about the industry, your companies’ specific challenges or anything else related to the global coal industry? Ask one of the industry’s most recognized experts in this interactive session; designed to give you the answers you’re looking for – no matter the question!
Submit your questions in advance of the conference or wait and ask when your in the audience – the choice is yours.
SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE
What’s on your mind? Here’s some sample questions to consider:
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
James Stevenson, Vice President & Head of Research, McCloskey by OPIS
Global thermal coal demand remains very strong, driven by China, India and Southeast Asia. What lies ahead for thermal coal seaborne markets in 2026? Could the rise of new technological innovations in coal fired power generation further delay the energy transition?
Session Chair: James Stevenson, Vice President & Head of Research, McCloskey by OPIS
Jennifer Kim, Senior Manager, Fuel Procurement & Development Department, Korea East-West Power Co.
Additional Speakers to be Announced
South Africa’s coal producers are finally seeing significant improvements in rail capacity, helping to cut their logistical costs and increasing export volumes. How is the industry taking advantage of this amid a relatively weak seaborne market? What other opportunities and challenges does the industry face in 2026? How can President Ramaphosa’s government help encourage further investment and development?
Session Chair: James Stevenson, Vice President & Head of Research, McCloskey by OPIS
Mike Teke, Group Chief Executive Officer, Seriti
Bernard Dalton, Head of Marketing, Thungela
Mpumelelo Mkhabela, Chairman, Menar
Bongani Motsa, Chief Economist, Minerals Council
Additional Speaker to be Announced
South Africa’s energy mix has changed rapidly over the last two decades and will continue to evolve with the increase in renewables. Has Eskom’s fears of an impending coal demand cliff eased? Will the new Integrated Resource Plan change Eskom’s coal outlook? In this session, industry leaders discuss South Africa’s key domestic markets: Eskom and the inland market.
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Dan Mashigo, General Manager, Primary Energy Division, Eskom
Gavin Boyes, Head of Coal Trading, OPAK
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Availability of funding for miners is still a major issue, what is the solution? Are lenders taking another look at coal following the renewed backing from the new US administration?
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Bongani Buthelezi, Chief Operation Officer, Fraser Alexander
Lebogang Motsepe, Senior Deal Maker, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC)
Additional Speaker to be Announced
Similar to funding, insurance is also a struggle for the coal industry with some major producers self-insuring. But what about mid-tier and junior miners that can’t afford to self-insure? What is the current environment to obtain the necessary insurance to operate?
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Gunter Becker, Chief Underwriting Officer, Blackwood Capital Management
Additional Speaker to be Announced
John Howland, Senior Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS
Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Transnet has successfully turned the corner with rail performance improving significantly over the past year. The state-run company now welcomes private rail operators to its rail network for the first time, hoping the new inflow of investment will quickly translate into a ramp up in exports. In this session, the Transnet Group CEO provides her outlook for the state-run company in this new era.
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Michelle Phillips, Group Chief Executive, Transnet SOC Ltd
With South Africa’s government moving swiftly on rail reforms, what is the reality on the ground? How are the ports, rail operators, end users and investors reacting to these changes? How quickly could we see RBCT return to 70 mt/y of coal exports – and could South Africa see 80 mt/y soon?
Session Chair: Hlengiwe Motaung, Senior Africa Reporter, McCloskey by OPIS
Yolisa Kani, Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO), Transnet
Ruan Nothnagel, Chief Commercial Officer, Menar
Alan Waller, Chief Executive Officer, Richards Bay Coal Terminal
Dan Mashigo, General Manager, Primary Energy Division, Eskom
Maximilian Matschke, Managing Director, Anura Partners
John Howland, Senior Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS