collaborate

Conference Chair

Pr.Eng Alan M. Clegg (Panel Chair)
Specialist Advisor
Shumba Energy

Mr. Clegg, is a Mining, Natural Resources & Energy Industry Professional and Independent Chairman & Director or Resources Companies with over 40 years’ experience gained from working mining & minerals projects, process & metallurgical industries and related supply industries in more than 160 countries on all the continents. He is a registered Professional Mining Engineer (Pr.Eng), a registered Professional Construction Project Manager (Pr.CPM), a registered Project Management Professional (PMP), and carries professional Fellowship status with South African Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (FSAIMM) and the Institute of Quarrying (FIOQ) as well a professional memberships of all the major Mining Institutes globally and is a recognized mining technical assessment, reporting and mining project valuation expert with key experience in stock exchange listings and the requirements for successful capital raising. He has advised a number of governments on Mining Policy, Legislation & Regulation since 1990, as well as being the architect & executor of practical plans for unlocking the potential value of their resources base.

Keynote Speakers

Reginald Demana
Divisional Executive,Executive Management
IDC -The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa

Reg is a mining and resources executive with over twenty years of experience. Before his appointment at IDC, Reg was the Group CEO of Wescoal Holdings Limited, a coal mining company listed on the JSE. Reg has extensive investment banking experience from his 15-year tenure at Nedbank Limited that covered mergers and acquisitions, BEE structuring, capital raising, mining valuations and more. Before joining Nedbank in 2008, Reg was a commodity analyst at Renaissance BJM Securities, responsible for researching various minerals and metals commodities. He also held various roles including at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (formerly Department of Minerals and Energy) as an inspector of mines and in academia at the University of Venda as well as at the University of Johannesburg (formerly Wits Technikon). Reg holds a BSc Mining Engineering (Wits) and an MSc in Mining Engineering (Exeter University, Camborne School of Mines).

Xavier Prevost
Senior Coal Analyst
XMP Consulting CC

Xavier has a MSc in Engineering Geology UMSA; Diploma in Mining and Exploration from the Montan University, Leoben, Austria, Graduate Diploma in Engineering and MSc. Mining Engineering from Wits. He has been in coal since 1977, established the Geological Survey’s National Coal Database (NCDB); was Genmin IT Exploration Manager and joined the Minerals Bureau, DME in 1995, as Chief Mineral Economist; Coal and Hydrocarbons. He was appointed Coal Senior Analyst, Wood Mackenzie, Southern Africa and since 2009 is consulting privately with XMP Consulting. He promotes South Africa’s coal mining industry within government and industry groups, lectures at Universities as well as companies on coal science, i.e. coal reserves, economics, quality control, marketing and clean coal technologies. He has extensive experience in reserves and resources. His main tasks are optimisation of coal utilisation and marketing, economic empowerment in coal, evaluation of coal reserves, implementation of clean coal technologies (CCTs) and impact of the use of fossil fuels. Xavier belongs to several local and international coal committees and groups involved in coal science and technology.

Speakers

Boris Kamstra
COO
Premium Nickel Resources

Boris is a seasoned leader in the Mining industry, with over 25 years of experience in senior and executive roles, Boris is South African, and has worked his entire career within Sub-Saharan Africa. Most recently he was the CEO of Alphamin Resources listed on the Toronto Stock exchange (TSXV) as well as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He was instrumental in bringing the mine located in North Kivu DRC into full operation from a greenfield exploration program. AFM.V is now valued at more than $1Bn. His workforce was for the greater part local and was able to integrate strong community involvement as well as an open partnership and business building approach. Boris graduated as a Civil Engineer BSc cum laude from the University of Cape Town. He is also a member of the South Africa Institute of Mining & Metallurgy. He holds an MBA from the WITS Business School, University of Witwatersrand (Dean’s merit list).

Eugene Nel
Chief Executive Officer
Vanadium Resources Limited

Eugene graduated with a B.Tech degree in metallurgical engineering from the Tshwane University of Technology in 1997 and subsequently worked as metallurgist, senior metallurgist and operations manager at various companies including Samancor Chrome and Impala Platinum. During this time he also obtained an MBA from North West University. Since 2005 he has been consulting to the minerals beneficiation industry throughout Africa and the Middle East. Currently he is CEO at Vanadium Resources (VR8) who are in the process of furthering the Steelpoortsdrift Vanadium project. As a registered Pr. Tech. Eng. with the Engineering Council of South Africa, as well as member of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Mine Metallurgical Managers Association of South Africa, he qualifies as a competent person under JORC. Eugene was intimately involved with preparing the recent scoping study results of VR8 and is spearheading the completion of the company’s feasibility studies towards production of high purity vanadium pentoxide from the Steelpoortdrift Vanadium project in Limpopo, South Africa. As a result of his exposure to all aspects of mining and processing projects he is a strong supporter of sustainable and responsible mining practices.

Paul Ranamane
Executive Director
Opal Mining

Before joining the mining industry, Paul Modikeng Ranamane qualified as a professional attorney and has honed his skills and predisposition for leadership at many of the organisations he had engaged himself in.
Before finally establishing his own law firm, Paul started legal work at the Van Der Venter Meiring Inc and the Pension Funds Adjudicator. He gained experience in areas of law that includes Taxation Municipal Finance; Corporate Finance; Commercial Contracts, Labour Law, Commercial litigation, Foreclosures, Conveyancing and Pension.

Tresor Chovu
Founder & CEO
Chovu International Holdings.

With 14 years of experience in facilitating investments in Africa, Trésor Chovu is in charge of the management and strategic direction of Chovu International Holdings Ltd. He advised numerous companies and investors in the mining, oil & gas, energy, Infrastructure as well as governments on how to channel investments and boost trade in countries such as Angola, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia. Trésor also worked on a few mining projects in latin America. Some of his previous clients include IM Power PLC (UK), Simba Energy (Canada), Global Investment Bank Limited (Dubai). Trésor is fluent in both English and French. He is an international speaker with a focus on investments in mining, energy and on how African governments can improve their business environment. He contributes to various media and forums such as the BBC, Africa Mining Forum, European Mining Convention among others. Trésor is a member of the UK Angel Investment Network. He holds a bachelor degree in Political Science and Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in England

Dr Michael Seeger
Managing Director
MX Mining Capital Advisors GmbH

A Mining Engineer with +23 years’ experience in mine development, mining operations and mining finance. He started his career with Iscor Mining, has worked with major mining companies in Africa, South America, North America and Europe including Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo Coal, Exxaro, Kaiser Aluminium and Outokumpu. Has developed, structured and financed several mining projects in the mid-tier and junior mining sector in diverse commodities, including coal, gold and metals. Co-founder of ASX listed Universal Coal and director of Maatla Energy in Botswana which is developing the Mmamabula coal mine and CTL project.
Director of MX Mining Capital Advisors, which provides mining financing solutions for mining projects in Africa in diverse commodities.

Emma Parker (Panel Chair)
Sustainable Business Opportunities Principal
Anglo American

She works in-house with Anglo American, seeking to identify opportunities through the innovative application of sustainability. Emma is founder and Director of Impact Capital Africa, an innovative conference designed to breakdown the barriers between impact investors and SMEs in Africa by creating the Impact Starter platform. She is also co-founder and Operations Director of the Musangu Foundation, a organisation established to encourage mining companies to approach social investment inclusively and proactively.

Simon Purkiss
Director
Consolidated Mining and Investments Ltd

Simon Purkiss is a metallurgical engineer and has developed projects in South Africa, production in base metals and PGM’s and the development and sale of new metallurgical processes. He was a founder of European Nickel PLC, which developed to full bankable levels, the heap leaching of nickel laterites and Consolidated Nickel Mines r-edeveloping nickel sulphide operations. Prior to this, he worked in Turkey, Philippines, Russia and South Africa as Business Development manager for BHP Billiton.

Tsietsi Molai
Managing Director
Emor Mining

My name is Tsietsi Molai, founder and Managing Director of Emor Mining. I have over 10 years working experience with multinationals as a management consultant. I am also a successful 4x entrepreneur in various industries. I am an avert golfer with a passion for travelling and wine.
Emor Mining is a capital raising and M&A advisory services firm to tier 2 and tier 3 mining companies. We assist these mining project to raise equity, debt (different types), streaming and royalty agreements. Our focus is on mining projects on the African continent while we raise capital in Africa and internationally.

Olebogeng Sentsho
Director
Mahene Diamonds (Pty) Ltd

Olebogeng Sentsho is a mineral economist and entrepreneur with interests in mining and energy. Mrs. Sentsho is an alumni of the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship programme for the Young African Leaders Initiative, run by the US State department and she holds an LLB degree and an Msc. in Mining Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. Olebogeng last served as the Group Chief Executive Officer at Ayana Group. The company is focused on providing services and funding to support emerging entrepreneurs in Mining and mining services. Mrs Sentsho believes that a more structured and Afro-centric approach to mining will grow the African economy and enable Africa to benefit from the minerals it rightfully owns. A recipient of the inaugural “Outstanding woman in Mining Award” at the Youth in Mining Business awards in 2016, the Winner of the “Leaders of Tomorrow” Award at the 2019 Mining Indaba and a nominee of the rising star at the Mines and Money Conference London, one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African 2020, The Head of the Mining and Technical Engineering Services Sector at the Progressive Youth in Business Organisation, Olebogeng is passionate about investment, the African economy, mining and socially responsible business practices.

Jonathan Paledi
Co-Portfolio Manager
African Alliance Asset Management Botswana

Jonathan has 10 years of investment experience, and he joined African Alliance in October 2021 as a Portfolio Manager. His role encompasses management of the local equity portfolio, and analysis of fixed income opportunities across various sectors. He has also worked at Inkunzi Investments and Fleming Asset Management. Prior to joining the local asset management industry, he worked in the reserve management unit at Bank of Botswana. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Finance Degree from the University of Botswana and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder.

Jeffrey Scheidegger
Project Lead
Impact Capital Africa

Jeffrey is an experienced entrepreneur, having established and grown a Zambian based social enterprise, Rent to Own, that developed a scalable asset-financing model for farmers and small business owners in rural Africa offering clients a one-stop solution including high quality assets, distribution, training, and financing. In 2021 Jeffrey joined Impact Capital Africa, which focuses on building up the impact investment ecosystem in southern Africa.

Jacques Badenhorst
Chief Executive Officer
Maatla Resources (Pty) Ltd

Jacques Badenhorst is a metallurgist with over 27 years’ experience in operations and project development and management of diverse mining projects, ranging from coal, gold, platinum, manganese, heavy minerals and diamond. He is a co-founder of Maatla Resources and responsible for implementing the coal business as the Chief Executive Officer. He has been the Managing Director of the ASX-listed Zamanco Minerals Limited and co-founder of the minerals processing company MRD. He is a member of the South African Institute for Mining and Metallurgy, the Mine Metallurgical Managers Association and the Institute of Directors SA. In the past, Jacques has worked for Grinaker / LTA Process Engineering, Anglo-American Corporation and MRD, implementing and operating various medium and large-scale mineral projects.

Morne du Plessis
Chief Executive Officer
Minergy Coal

Morné is a South African citizen but is resident in Botswana and is a chartered accountant with an MBA from Heriot Watt University Edinburgh, Scotland. He has extensive experience in the mining industry including having been CFO of several mining groups, such as domestic coal trader MacPhail (now part of Salungano Group, previously known as Wescoal Holdings Limited), contract mining and beneficiation service provider Genet SA, junior coal miner Umcebo Mining Group, and JSE-listed junior coal miner Wescoal Holdings Limited (now Salungano Group). He was appointed to the Board of Directors of Minergy in January 2017 as its CFO in February 2017. On 1 August 2019 he took over the reigns as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Group.

Neeraj Saxena
Country Director
Jindal Botswana

Neeraj Saxena is the Country Director at Jindal Botswana Pty Ltd with responsibility for Project Planning, Coordination and Liaise with All Concerned stakeholders, Contracts Management, and Project Monitoring for Coal Mining, Power Plant and CTL Projects in Jindal Mmamabula Energy Project. Prior to joining Jindal Botswana Pty Ltd, Neeraj Saxena worked as Technical Assistant to Chairman Jindal Group for Power Business at Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, New Delhi. Notable is his 9 years as Deputy General Manager for Jindal Power Limited, which is the Power arm of JSPL group. Neeraj Saxena received Bachelors and Master’s Degree from Kharkov State Polytechnical University, Ukraine in Mechanical Engineering. Completed his MBA with Gold Medal from O P Jindal Global University, India and University of Texas, Dallas starting from 2010 till 2011. His major interests are in Business Development, Project Planning and Monitoring. Has also worked in areas of Erection & Commissioning of Power Plant units ranging from 20 MW to 600 MW. His Specialization is in bringing up the Green Field Projects with overall Project life cycle.

Edwin T Elias
General Manager
Morupule Coal Mine

Mr. Edwin T. Elias is currently the General Manager for Morupule Coal Mine (underground Operations and Development of the Open Cast Mine) - with aim to direct, formulate and manage the execution of overall Mine strategy; previously Head of Ore Processing/Metallurgy for Debswana Mining Company and Metallurgical Engineer by profession with at least 20 years’ experience within mining. Mr. Elias has been an executive within Debswana and De beers for at least 13 years – Senior Manager – Ore Processing (Jwaneng Aug.2008 - May 2011); Head of Maintenance and Process (De beers Canada – May 2011 – May 2013); Senior Manager – Ore Processing (Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa – June 2013 – Nov 2015) and Currently Group Head of Ore Processing – (Debswana – Dec 2015- Current). The executive roles and experience within Debswana/De beers has ensured that Mr. Elias acquired Technical and Strategic Insights Skills, Business Excellence; Safety Excellence; Business Planning and Assurance; Leading People and Change and Stakeholder Management. Mr. Elias has an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) from the University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management, Toronto, Canada; a Bachelor of Science (Bsc.) – Metallurgical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, USA and an Emergin Leaders Program (ELP) Certification from the London Business School, London, UK.

Nchakha Moloi
Executive Chairman
Motjoli Iron Ore

Mr Moloi started his career in research at the Wits University Geology Department and Anglo American Research Laboratories. He then joined De Beers in diamond exploration followed by an appointment as mine geologist / engineering geology at RTZ’s Palabora Mine. He left to join the Wits Economics Department/ANC Department of Economic Planning to start his work in minerals and energy policy research and development. Following employment as a business analyst at the Industrial Development Corporation, Mr Moloi joined the Department of Minerals and Resources where he played a central role in the development of South African mining sector reforms. He is currently the Executive Chairman and Shareholder in Motjoli Resources, a junior resources company that has established a significant foot prints in the South African Mining Landscape.

Dr Wolf Martinick
Executive Chairman
Botala Energy Limited

Wolf is an agronomist and environmental scientist. He has 40 years’ experience addressing the environmental and social aspects of the oil, gas, mineral resources and land development industries in various countries, especially Australia and Southern Africa. He was the owner and founding director of MBS Environmental, a major socio-environmental consultancy attending to resource developments across Australasia and numerous other countries, especially Southern Africa. He is a former managing director, chairman and non-executive director of several ASX and AIM listed exploration and mining companies with interests in Australia, Africa and South and Central America and is familiar with project development.

James Campbell (Panel Chair)
Managing Director
Botswana Diamonds plc

James Campbell has spent over 30-years in the diamond industry in a variety of leadership roles both in major and junior companies. He is currently MD of Botswana Diamonds and also a NED of Shefa Gems. Previously he held leadership roles at Rockwell Diamonds, Stellar Diamonds, Lucara Diamond, African Diamonds, West African Diamonds and De Beers where he spent over 20-years with notable appointments including GM Exploration and Nicky Oppenheimer's Personal Assistant. James is also Chairman of the leadership development NPO Common Purpose SA. James holds a degree in Mining & Exploration Geology from the Royal School of Mines (Imperial College, London) and an MBA with distinction from Durham University. James is a Fellow of the IOM3, SAIMM and IODSA. He is also a C.Eng (UK), C.Sci (UK) and Pr.Sci.Nat.

Sam Chikowore
Cheif Executive Officer
Exporien Mining P/L

Sam Chikowore is a family man, married with a son and a daughter, has a lifelong background in the mining industry spanning back to 1993. He initially was involved with a chrome-mining venture which had operations on the Zimbabwe Great-Dyke. After a couple of years in distribution, Sam took up a new role managing earth-moving equipment with contracts at the country's largest open-cast platinum miner with another contract running at a chrome smelter. Sam was later to leave that project to start his own chrome mining venture on a tribute basis working with the two leading ferro-chrome producing companies in Zimbabwe at the time. In 2002 Sam set up a new company Exporien Mining P/L, coming in as Managing Director. Sam sought to use the Exporien vehicle to diversify into other mineral commodities outside his chrome comfort zone.

Shedrack Kombe
Chief Executive Officer
Mcharo-Kombe Mining

Shedrack Kombe is a Tanzanian mining entrepreneur. He is a member of the Federation of Miners Association in Tanzania (FEMATA) and has played a leading role in starting, establishing and developing multiple greenfield and brownfield mining projects with a junior mining company he co-founded. Some of the greenfield projects include Namtumbo columbite/titanium project, Kibulungutu Columbite/beryl project and Namtumbo precious metals project. The brownfield projects he is involved in currently are the Ibaga Copper/Zinc project and Singida Copper/Gold Project. He has also been involved in the establishment of a tin processing plant in Kyerwa tin fields in Tanzania. Shedrack is also the Chair of Dedun Resources Ltd, a certified metallic minerals trader. He is also the Vice Chair of the Singida Copper Miners Association.

Dr Antony Harwood
President and CEO
Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd.

Tony is a geologist with 35 years of exploration and mining experience. A founder and now President and CEO of Montero Mining, a TSXV-listed gold exploration company that has explored extensively in Africa. Prior to this, he was the Executive Chairman of Universal Coal, and listed the company on the ASX raising over A$20 million on IPO. The company now has operating coal mines in South Africa. Tony also listed Africo Resources on the TSX raising C$20 million to develop a copper – cobalt project in the DRC. Tony served as VP Global Generative Exploration for Placer Dome Inc., now Barrick Gold, a major Canadian gold miner for 8 years. He has been a non-executive director of a number of listed companies, including; Endeavour Mining, Adamus Resources, Auryx Gold, African Gold Group, and Lapplandgold miners. Tony is currently a director of East African Metals, Tesoro Minerals and Hudson Resources. Tony holds a B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. Economic Geology, the University of Wales, UK.

Charles Siwawa
Chief Executive Officer
Botswana Chamber of Mines

Charles Siwawa is currently employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Chamber of Mines based in Gaborone, a position he has occupied since 2010. He holds a Masters Degree in Industrial and Administrative Sciences from City University London, UK over a Mining Engineering Degree from the University of Leeds, UK. Mr. Siwawa has extensive background in the mining industry in Botswana. Prior to joining the Botswana Chamber of Mines, he was employed by Debswana Diamond Company in various capacities from 1982 until 2009.

Dr . Siyanda Mngadi
Managing Director
Ntuthuko Resources

Managing Director at Ntuthuko Resources. In addition, I am a member of the Council for Geoscience (CGS) Board Technical & Audit and Rick Committees. I hold a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Geophysics, Seismology from the University of the Witwatersrand. I published peer-reviewed papers in the International Journals. I am the former Executive Manager of Mining and Resources at Pamodzi Group. I was responsible for mergers and acquisitions in mining and energy. Additional responsibilities included, being a non-executive director at Inyosi Coal and Anglo American Inyosi Coal (AAIC). I previously worked as a quantitative and fundamental investment analyst in Asset Management, with R13 billion assets under management (AUM).

Karen Pieterse (Panel Chair)
Sales Director - Southern Africa
SES

Karen Pieterse (MBA, UK) is a Telecoms professional with universal leadership experience, expanding over 30 years. As the SES Sales Director for Southern Africa, Karen is an avid ambassador for O3b mPOWER. She believes Collaborative Intelligence is key in the Mining Industry to co-create opportunities for deliberation, innovation, and empowerment.

Kabo Phetlhu
Head of Transformation and Innovation
Debswana Diamond Company

Kabo is a beneficiary of the Debswana scholarship programme, joining the company in 2003 as a graduate trainee after graduation with a Bachelor of Information Systems Engineering (Hons) from the University of Manchester. He started his career as an IT Developer rising through the ranks of the organisation to become the Head of Information Management for Debswana in 2019. Along the way, Kabo developed extensive experience in the leadership and management of Mining Execution Systems as a System Analyst and later becoming IT Manager for Business Solutions and Enterprise Applications. In 2017, Kabo re-joined Debswana as the Senior IM Manager for Mine Technical Systems, tasked with bringing the same disciple of Enterprise Resource Planning applications to mining execution systems. He was later appointed as the Head of Information Management at Debswana in 2019 where he began crafting the organisation’s digital transformation journey. Kabo was appointed to the position of Lead - Innovation & Digital in 2021 and was recently promoted to the position of Head of Digital and Automation in 2022. In 2019, Kabo completed the Global Executive Development Programme with the Gordons Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

Simon Kwete
Director
Paramount

Simon Kwete leads Paramount Tracks & Equipment’s Central and West Africa’s operation as the Director for Africa mining with responsibility for businesses in the Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana. He also oversees the company’s ongoing expansion efforts into SADC’s emerging markets. In his previous role, he’s served in senior and executive leadership roles for multinational companies for its African subsidiaries and was responsible for the company’s increasing development and expansion efforts into high growth and domestic markets. Simon Kwete specializes in heavy mining engineering and brings forth close to 14 years of experience in mining systems automation and control. Simon’s passion for technological advances has afforded him opportunities where he’s been instrumental in the deployment and delivery of the first Autonomous Blast hole drill roll out in Africa and the very first power system AC dragline. Simon is an electro-mechanics graduate, business studies and currently completing a Post graduate Diploma in Energy Leadership with the University of Witwatersrand with a focus on Energy decarbonization, sustainable energy and green manufacturing.

Kabelo Mosebi
Managing Director
SAIMM - The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

Kabelo Mosebi is a Co-opted Council Member of the Southern African Institution of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) for 2022 – 2023. Kabelo is the Managing Director for Blue Horizon Resources (Pty) Ltd, a Mining and Geotechnical firm in Botswana. Kabelo completed his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Mineral Engineer at the University of Toronto before working for AECI and Debswana for more than five years for each. Amongst many technical influence Kabelo has had in the Jwaneng open pit, he went to present on the unique work he co-authored with others at the Slope Stability Conference in Spain. Kabelo’s involvement in giving back has been mostly focused on professional development of young professional and his involvement with entities like SAIMM.

Craig Jennings
Shevon Holdings
Shevon Holdings

Craig has been an entrepreneur his whole life after a successful initial foray in the Mechanical Engineering field. First entry into is own business was the successful building and running of a clay brick factory in Zimbabwe that is still a going concern. From there, starting in 1992, he has had numerous business in the ITC sector mainly in Data, Telecommunications and Business Solution Consulting. In 2004 he started Shevon Holdings as a Satellite communications service provider initially focussing on the Maritime market then in 2007 moved into Africa concentrating on Satellite Communications, Networking and Data Transmission supplying end-end solutions focussed on the Mining Sector. Since then, Shevon has become a leading provider in this field with strong links as SES Gold Partners in Africa and a Leader in Service Delivery in Mining, Oil & Gas and Maritime.

Jacob Thamage
Diamond Hub Coordinator
Mount Burgess Botswana

Jacob Thamage, a mining and mineral policy expert, he has over 25 years of experience working for the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources in Botswana. Over this period where he was accountable for regulatory functions in the minerals value chain. Namely project evaluation at exploitation, mining, processing and marketing. His responsibilities included creating an enabling environment for growing the diamonds’ value chain. Prior to that, he worked as the Deputy Permanent Secretary responsible for the development and administration of Botswana’s Mineral Policies and Legislation. Internationally, Jacob led the Botswana team in the negotiations and implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification scheme from 2002 to 2016. He has also represented the country in the development of the SADC Mining Protocol and contributions to the development of the African Mining Vision. He was focal point in discussions between the country the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative International Secretariat. Jacob holds a B. Engineering (Mining) from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax, and an MBA from Nijenrode University, Breukelen NL

Otto van der Ende
Associate Partner
MineLens by McKinsey

Otto is a Sr. Solution Leader and mining expert in McKinsey & Company’s office in Belgium, and leads the MineLens team. In this role, he is responsible for developing and delivering knowledge, client support and delivering diagnostic solutions. Since joining McKinsey in 2013, Mr. Van der Ende has served clients in the mining sector with a primary focus on holistic performance transformations. He has worked in both open pit as well as underground operations, has been active on all 6 continents, and supported strategy, growth and operational improvements programs. Mr. Van der Ende holds a Master of Science in Applied Earth Sciences, with a specialization in mining engineering.

Raj Kumar Ray
Solution Delivery Manager
MineLens by McKinsey

Raj Kumar Ray is a Mining Expert in McKinsey & Company’s office in India, and a Solution Leader of the MineLens team. He leads the MineLens Solution driving operational improvements at mining companies through a set of operational diagnostic and benchmarking products. Since joining McKinsey in 2013, Mr. Raj has served clients in the Mining sector across the globe, with a primary focus on operational transformations. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mining Engineering.

Noleen Pauls (Panel Chair)
Board Member and Patron
Women in Mining South Africa

Noleen is a geologist with 30 years’ experience in multi-commodity mineral exploration and evaluation of gold, platinum, chrome, iron and coal exploration projects throughout Africa and gold exploration in South and Central America, based in Peru. Her experience ranges across government, industry and consulting. She is an independent consultant. Noleen is a fellow of the GSSA and VP of the Professional Affairs Portfolio. She is a registered professional natural scientist with SACNASP. Noleen has been involved with Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) since its inception in 2010. She is a patron and chair of the WiMSA board and the past chairperson for Women in Mining South Africa, and a life member of the Worldwide Association of Female Professionals. She is an active mentor to young females in the mining industry and vocal through media and conference presentations of the need for role models in this male dominated industry.

Keene Nkoane
Pribcipal Engineer
Debswana Diamond Company

Keene Nkoane is the Principal engineer – Asset Management at Debswana, Botswana, Southern Africa. She is responsible for the definition, development and implementation of the Debswana Asset Management programme across all operations to deliver improved equipment performance in line with business aspirations and industry benchmarks. This includes development of Asset Management standards and guidelines as well as technical assurance. She is currently leading the transitioning of the Debswana maintenance philosophy in to Predictive maintenance, a key enabler of the innovation and digital transformation journey. Over the 19 years with Debswana, Keene has worked with very diverse teams to achieve results with concern for safety and upkeep of standards. Keene is married to Milton and they have been blessed with 4 children; 3 boys and a girl. She is a Christian and she enjoys cooking.

Dr. Tania Marshall
Owner
Explorations Unlimited

Dr Tania R Marshall has been actively, and continuously, involved in the diamond and gemstone exploration/mining industry since 1985. She has worked for both large and small companies in this field, as an operator, and also as a consultant. She is a member of a number of statutory and professional bodies.

Louis Loubser
Cheif Executive Officer
ARM Andalusite

As the Head of Business Development and Resources at Afrimat Limited, Louis Loubser successfully assisted in negotiating the acquisition of Infrasors into the Afrimat stable. In 2013, he was appointed Managing Director of Infrasors, an Afrimat subsidiary – demonstrating great competency in turning Infrasors around. In September 2018. Louis holds a B.Com Management Accounting degree from the University of Stellenbosch, a Certificate in open-pit mining from the University of Derby, and an MBA Cum Laude from the University of Stellenbosch.

Saeed Cabdalla
Chief Operating Officer
Kusini Gateway Industrial Park - Kwedikabu Graphite Project Handeni

Saeed obtained a bachelor's degree, BSc (Hons) from The University of Salford 2017, since then he has had the position of Chief Operating Officer at Kusini Gateway Industrial Park.

Kgosi Marata
Director
Basil Read Mining

Kgosi Marata has over 12 years experience in the mining industry, predominantly in the open pit environment. He is currently serving as the Senior Contracts Manager for Basil Read Mining Botswana and as a Director and board member of B&E Botswana (PTY) Ltd (a subsidiary of Basil Read Mining). Kgosi has been involved in the development and growth of projects in the SADC region across a number of commodities and metals such as diamonds, copper, zinc, silver and coal. His areas of focus are strategic leadership, operations management and business development with focus on turnkey projects delivering value for customers. A fully registered Engineer under the Engineers Registration Board of Botswana, he holds a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, an MDP from the University of Stellenbosch and a Diploma in Project Management from PPM College. He is also a member of the Botswana Chapter of the Project Management Institute where he is currently pursuing his full Certification as a Risk Management Professional.

Dr Ayanda Nteta (Panel Chair)
Director
Pula Research and Consulting

Ayanda is a seasoned supply chain executive in the energy, mining manufacturing, banking and telecoms industries across various African countries. She has 20 years’ experience and an established track record in strategic sourcing, contract negotiations as well as leading complex supply chain operations. Ayanda has developed and implemented various sourcing strategies, including designing a USD70M enterprise development fund for the mining industry. She is a lecturer in supply chain management as well as a conference speaker on supply chain and policy development. Ayanda has a Masters in Business Leadership graduate and is a Chartered Fellow of the Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply.

Phillip Lisindi
Lead, Supply Chain
Debswana Diamond Company

Phillip Lisindi has over 25 years experience in the Mining Industry, specifically at Debswana Diamond Mine operating in different roles at both Management and Executive levels. His career started from a supervisory level and rose to management through to executive level throughout the different Debswana Operations. Over the years he performed various roles across Finance Delivery areas of Capital Projects, Cost Performance, Financial and Regulatory Accounting and Reporting. This culminated in his promotion to Head of Supply at Debswana Corporate Centre in February 2022. In his new role Phillip has been challenged by Debswana Leadership with the responsibility of transforming Debswana Supply Chain into a proactive value adding function which contribute immensely to the Debswana 2024 ODOT Strategy. He is passionate about Citizen Economic Empowerment and is keen to ensure that Batswana empowered participate in the Mining Value Chain. Phillip Lisindi is a Certified Chartered Management Accountants. He is a firm believer in Organizational Transformation and Commercial Excellence which he sees as a cornerstone of organizational success.