2026 Steel & Ferroalloys Conference
February 2-4, 2026 | The Westin Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa
2026 Steel & Ferroalloys Conference
February 2-4, 2026 | The Westin Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa
Dr. James Stevenson, Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration is working on a series of measures to promote local beneficiation and revive South Africa’s ferroalloys sector. A senior government official opens the conference with an update on these efforts and what the industry can expect in 2026.
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Jacob Mbele, Director-General, Ministerial Department of Mineral & Petroleum Resources
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Session 2a – Can Government Reforms Revive South Africa’s Smelters?
South Africa’s government is promising to cut power tariffs and restrict ore exports to rejuvenate the country’s struggling ferroalloys industry. Will it be enough? The head of South Africa’s ferroalloys producers group provides his outlook for 2026.
Featured Speaker: Nellis Bester, Chairman, Ferro Alloys Producers Association
Presentation Title: South Africa’s Ferroalloys Outlook – Industrial Resurrection or the Reduction of a Giant?”
Session 2b – Zimbabwe’s Grand Ferrochrome Ambitions
Sitting on the world’s second largest chrome reserves, Zimbabwe is welcoming foreign investment to build the infrastructure necessary to process chrome concentrate at home. Will a complete ban on chrome ore exports translate into greater local beneficiation?
The head of Zimbabwe’s minerals marketing company discusses their strategy for chrome beneficiation to ensure the country extracts the most value from its raw materials.
Dr. Nomsa Moyo, General Manager, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ)
Following Indonesia’s success, African governments are implementing bold policies to encourage domestic beneficiation that they hope will boost revenue and create more jobs. In this session, industry leaders go beyond the rhetoric and examine the road ahead for Africa’s beneficiation plans.
Session Chair: Tiisetso Nkosi, Research & Analysis Director: Coal, Metals & Mining
Bongani Motsa, Acting Chief Economist, Minerals Council
Waheed Sulaiman, Head of Special Projects, Menar
Franck Wandji, Group Executive: Commercial, ArcelorMittal South Africa
Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
India is stepping up to be the new global engine for steel and ferroalloys, as China faces slowing demand growth. What does this shift mean for global markets, trade flows, and pricing? In this session, industry leaders examine the outlook for 2026 and beyond.
Session Chair: Dr. James Stevenson, Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS
Charles Dednam, Secretary General, South African Iron and Steel Institute
Sanjeev Agarwal, Joint President- Commercial and Raw Material, Rashmi Group
Gaurav Nagpal, Chief Marketing Officer, ArcelorMittal South Africa
Rohan Baid, Associate Director Ferro alloys, McCloskey by OPIS
In 2026, Exxaro Resources will enter the global manganese market and overnight become one of the biggest players in the industry, with ambitions for more. Will the new year be a milestone for change in the manganese industry? And how will the industry navigate through an oversupplied market, slowing Chinese consumption and growing Indian demands?
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Richard Lilleike, Executive Head of Strategy & Business Development, Exxaro Resources
Brad Rogers, CEO, Jupiter Mines
Laurent Montcoutié, Executive Director, International Manganese Institute (IMnI)
Thembelani Gantsho, Managing Director, Orestralis
South Africa’s chrome industry is at a turning point. Policymakers are considering export restrictions and duties on chrome ore to encourage local beneficiation — a move that could reshape trade flows and pricing across the global stainless steel value chain. In this session, we unpack what’s next for South African chrome, and what the impacts will be on international markets.
Session Chair: Rohan Baid, Associate Director Ferro alloys, McCloskey by OPIS
Japie Fullard, Chief Executive Officer, Glencore Ferroalloys
Peter Major, Director: Mining, Modern Corporate Solutions
Tiisetso Nkosi, Iron Ore, Manganese & Chrome Research Lead, McCloskey by OPIS
Battery storage is expected to fuel significant growth in the vanadium industry with China leading this growth. In this session, international industry leaders from China and the United States discuss the state of the current vanadium market and how vanadium redox flow batteries will drive future demand.
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Min Tang, Director of International Business, Rongke Power
Global anthracite and met coke markets have undergone significant changes, primarily in response to geopolitics – most notably the Russia-Ukraine war. In this session, we speak with key buyers, traders and suppliers on how they have adapted to this new business landscape, and about the path that lies ahead.
Session Chair: Dr. James Stevenson, Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS
Walter Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Hislop Anderson Commodities
Dr. James Stevenson, 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 is now welcoming 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, a top Transnet executive provides the company’s outlook for 2026 and beyond.
Session Chair: Hlengiwe Motaung, Senior Africa Reporter, McCloskey by OPIS
Bonginkosi Mabaso, General Manager: Group Commercial, Transnet SOC
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 all these changes? How quickly could we see significant improvements to export railings of manganese and chrome ore? How will the arrival of private rail operators change the logistics landscape?
Session Chair: Hlengiwe Motaung, Senior Africa Reporter, McCloskey by OPIS
Bonginkosi Mabaso, Chief Commercial Officer, Transnet Group
Neusa Saranga, Commercial Director, Maputo Port
Ruan Nothnagel, Chief Commercial Officer, Menar
Kenneth Williams, Executive, Supply Chain & Business Development Lead, Makoya Supply Chain Holdings
Minerals Council Chief Executive Officer Mzila Mthenjane brings the three-day conference to a close with key takeaways on how South Africa’s main industry group is working to help resolve the biggest challenges facing miners in 2026.
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, EMEA Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Mzila Mthenjane, Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Council