collaborate

Conference Chair

Shamil Tumisang Agosi (Panel Chair)
Managing Director
Square Gate Group

Shamil Tumisang Agosi, Managing Director of Square Gate Group, is an impact investor and sustainability leader with a strong track record in investment facilitation, ESG, community engagement, and renewable energy. Formerly Vice President at Premium Nickel Resources, she now serves on the SADC Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Support Facility board, championing inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development.

Prof Emerita Rosemary Falcon
Director
FFF Carbon

Rosemary, educated at Roedean and Wits (BSc, MSc, PhD), has over 50 years’ coal expertise in corporate, consulting, academic, and research roles, including 20+ years with Eskom. She authored books, 80+ publications, and 2000+ reports. Now Professor Emeritus at Wits, she edits journals, consults, and serves as expert witness. Widowed, she has three children and eight grandchildren.

Speakers

Hon Bogolo Kenewendo
Minister
Ministry of Minerals and Energy, Botswana

Hon. Bogolo Kenewendo is Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, driving policy for sustainable resource management, energy transition, and economic diversification. An economist and global thought leader, she previously served as Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, and advises international organisations on development, trade, climate, and inclusive growth strategies.

John Youhanes Magok Nhial
Mineral Resources Development Expert
African Union Commission

John Youhanes Magok is a distinguished South Sudanese Mining Engineer and Environmentalist with over eight years of experience in mineral resources governance and environmental policy. He currently serves as a Mineral Resources Development Expert at the African Union Commission, where he coordinates the implementation of the African Union Commodity Strategy, a flagship initiative under Agenda 2063. His expertise encompasses strategic partnership coordination, policy development, and stakeholder engagement, particularly within frameworks such as the Africa Mining Vision

James Campbell (Panel Chair)
Managing Director
Botswana Diamonds plc

James Campbell, Managing Director of Botswana Diamonds plc, has over 40 years’ leadership experience in the diamond industry with companies including De Beers, Anglo American, African Diamonds, West African Diamonds, Lucara Diamond, Stellar Diamonds and Rockwell Diamonds. He advises Shefa Gems, chairs Common Purpose South Africa, holds geology and MBA degrees and is currently studying a doctorate in growing junior exploration and mining in Southern Africa. He is a Fellow and Chartered Professional across multiple institutes.Diamonds plc, West African Diamond plc and De Beers where he spent over twenty years with notable appointments including General Manager Exploration and Nicky Oppenheimer's Personal Assistant. James is also a founding Director and Chairman of the leadership development Non-Profit Organisation Common Purpose South Africa. 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 Institute of Mining, Metals & Materials (UK), South African Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, Geological Society of South Africa and Institute of Directors of South Africa. He is also a Chartered Engineer (UK), Chartered Scientist (UK) and a Professional Registered Natural Scientist in South Africa.

Bakani Motlhabani
Chief Technical Officer
Debswana

Driving superior and sustainable performance through technical excellence, by integrating multiple technical functions: Mining, Geosciences, Ore Processing, Engineering & Asset Management, Information & Technology Integration and Integrated Business Planning. 30 years at Debswana in various operational and technical roles.

Naseem Banu Lahri
Managing Director
Lucara Botswana

Naseem Banu Lahri is a seasoned Executive Leader with over 18 years of transformative experience in the mining industry. Holding a Master’s in Strategic Management (BCOM, FCCA), she has redefined corporate responsibility through her visionary leadership in Botswana, transcending traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) models that often prioritise superficial chequebook philanthropy. Instead, Lahri has pioneered a deeply integrated approach to community upliftment, ensuring that Lucara Botswana’s operations leave a lasting, sustainable legacy for mining communities.

Rebecca Quartey Papafio
Stakeholder and Government Affairs Lead
De Beers Group

Rebecca Quartey-Papafio is the Stakeholder Relations Manager at De Beers Group. Based in Botswana, she leads initiatives that empower youth in jewelry design through the Shining Light Awards and advance local beneficiation, supporting inclusivity and sustainable development in line with De Beers' Building Forever strategy

Mmetla Masire
Managing Director
Okavango Diamond Company

Mmetla Masire, appointed ODC Managing Director in July 2021, has 30+ years in the diamond industry across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Former Permanent Secretary at Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals, he played a key role in relocating De Beers sales to Botswana and advancing diamond beneficiation locally.

Olefile Cisco Mashabila
Chief Executive Officer
Botswana Geoscience Institute

Mr. Olefile Cisco Mashabila, CEO of Botswana Geoscience Institute since 2021, has over 20 years’ mining experience. He led BGI’s commercialisation roadmap, lab accreditation, and operational transformation. Formerly with Debswana, BCL, and Tati Nickel, he holds MSc degrees in Mineral Resources Management and Strategic Management, plus a BSc in Geology.

Charles Siwawa (Panel Chair)
Chief Executive Officer
Botswana Chamber of Mines

Charles Siwawa is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Chamber of Mines in Gaborone, a role he has held since 2010. He holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Administrative Sciences from City University London, UK, as well as a Mining Engineering Degree from the University of Leeds, UK. Mr. Siwawa has an extensive background in Botswana's mining industry. Before joining the Botswana Chamber of Mines, he worked at Debswana Diamond Company in various roles from 1982 until 2009.

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.

Paul Ranamane
Chairperson
Maiphephi Resources

As Chairperson of Maiphephi Resources, Paul leads the strategic direction for the South African vanadium and manganese mining company. Beyond Maiphephi, he serves as a BRICS green metals & South African Minerals Council member where he advances sustainable development, regulatory compliance and partnerships the in green economy and energy sectors

Arvind Misra
Managing Director
Belararox Limited

Mr. Misra, a Mining Engineer with 30+ years’ experience, holds degrees from IIT Varanasi and Murdoch University. He has led mining start-ups, turnarounds, acquisitions, and IPOs, serving as MD of India Resources and on multiple boards. His global expertise spans Rio Tinto, BHP, Glencore, Anglo American, and others.

Troth Ntila Saindi
Group Exploration Manager
DY6 Metals Ltd

Troth N. Saindi is an expert in mining and mineral exploration, holding an MSc in Geology from WITS University and a BSc Hons from UJ. Troth is a fully certified Competent Person (CP) with SACNASP as a Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat) in Geological Sciences, and a Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa (FGSSA). He is currently working as Group Exploration Manager for ASX-listed DY6 Metals Ltd, that owns a portfolio of tier-1 Rutile Projects in Cameroon and REE / Phosphate / Gallium Projects in Malawi.

James Allan
CEO
Sable Metals and Minerals & James Allen Associates

James has worked in the mining, and mining financial services, industries since 1983. After graduating at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1982, he worked at Wankie Colliery in Zimbabwe before joining Boart International in 1985. James worked as a mining analyst on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange from 1990 to 2003 before moving into corporate finance and starting Sable Platinum. James, as the top-rated diamond analyst on the JSE, led the minority shareholders in 2001 and gained an extra $2 per share when Anglo American and the Oppenheimer family made a bid to de-list De Beers. This resulted in the transaction being restructured and the Government of Botswana acquiring 15% of De Beers.

Modise Mokone
Chief Investment Officer
Minerals Development Company Botswana

Modise Mokone, Chief Investment Officer at Minerals Development Company Botswana (MDCB), has over 15 years’ experience in investment management. Formerly with BDC and CEDA, he led major deals exceeding P500 million. He holds a BCom from Griffith University and completed executive training at GIBS and CFA Level 1.

Wellington Pasipamire
Executive Chairman
Nyembesi

Wellington Pasipamire is Executive Chairman of Nyembesi, and sits on several other Company Boards in the mining sector in Zimbabwe. Wellington has extensive experience in the financial services sector, in particular, investment banking,with over 20 years experience. He has led private equity, mining, and infrastructure deals across Africa. He’s advised on privatisation, resource mobilisation, and other development priorities for Governments and both private/public sector entities in Africa.

Tsietsi Molai
Managing Director
Emor Capital

Tsietsi Molai is Managing Director of Emor Capital (Pty) Ltd, a transaction advisory boutique he founded in 2015. With over 15 years in corporate finance and consulting across metals, mining, engineering, and energy, he specializes in M&A, capital raising, valuations, due diligence, and financial modelling. Based in Johannesburg, Tsietsi leads a multidisciplinary team advising mining companies and investors across Africa and globally. A recognized industry thought leader, he frequently speaks on sustainable mining, finance, and technology trends.

Sibonelo Nkosi
Partner
Giantfuse | Thoriso

Sibonelo Nkosi is a passionate portfolio manager specializing in metals and mining within the Thematic Equity team at Giantfuse | Thoriso Minerals. I also serve as a Director and Partner at our firm. Sibonelo's journey began as a market analyst at BHP Billiton, where he honed his expertise over three transformative years in The Hague and Singapore.
His selection by BHP Billiton in 2014 from CRU (Mining Research Unit) reflects his remarkable potential. He earned an Honours degree in Economics and Applied Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand and a degree in Applied Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2021, he completed his MBA at Wits Business School, further enriching his skills and knowledge.

Vusumuzi Dube
Business Development Manager - Mining and Metals
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa

Vusumuzi, a Mining Engineer with a BSc from Wits and an MBA from GIBS, is an experienced finance and investment professional. Skilled in debt, equity, project finance, and M&A, he focuses on structuring solutions for junior mining companies to drive industrial growth across Africa’s mining and metals sector.

Michael Teke
Group CEO
Seriti Resources Holdings (Pty) Ltd

Mike Teke is the CEO of Seriti Resources Holdings which he co-founded in 2018. His qualifications include a BA (Ed), BEd, 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 at BHP Billiton, he became a founding member of Optimum Coal from 2007 to 2012 where he took on the role of CEO, 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 currently serves as Executive Chairman and controlling shareholder of Masimong Group Holdings and Non-Executive Chairman for a number of companies, including Rolfes, Anchor Group, and is the Chairman of Council at the University of Johannesburg. Mike is also a Non-Executive Director of ARB, Halewood and Mouton Citrus.

Hannes Reyneke (Panel Chair)

HMS Bergbau AG

Hannes Reyneke is an experienced mining executive with HMS Bergbau, a leading international coal and commodities marketing company. He has extensive expertise in coal trading, supply chain management, and business development across global markets. Reyneke focuses on building sustainable partnerships and advancing HMS Bergbau’s strategic presence in Africa and beyond.

Dr Lars Schernikau
Shareholder
HMS Bergbau AG

Lars is an energy economist, commodity trader and author. He is a main shareholder of German publicly listed mining and commodity marketing company HMS Bergbau AG with more than two decades of experience in the energy and commodities industry. Lars' journey began at Boston Consulting Group in the US and Germany from 1997 to 2003, which shaped his deep understanding of global markets. His experience also includes managing a wind farm in Germany for 3 years. Lars is a renowned energy industry expert and keynote speaker at global energy and commodity forums worldwide. He advises governments, banks, educational institutions and corporations on macro and energy economics and shapes energy policy.

Greg Bittar
CEO
Lotus Resources Limited

Mr Bittar is an accomplished capital markets/finance and resource industry executive with 25 years of experience. Mr Bittar brings extensive experience from positions held across investment banking, metals and mining and energy companies in relation to funding, exploration, M&A, project evaluation and project development studies.

Xavier Prevost (Panel Chair)
Senior Coal Analyst
XMP Consulting CC

Xavier, an MSc-qualified Mining Engineer and Geologist, has worked in coal since 1977. Founder of South Africa’s National Coal Database, he has held senior roles in exploration, economics, and analysis. Through XMP Consulting, he advises on reserves, marketing, clean coal technologies, and fossil fuel impacts, while lecturing widely.

Bontle Ivy Aphane
Chief Executive Officer
Arnot Opco (Pty) Ltd

Bontle Aphane is a co-founder of Arnot Opco, holds a B.Eng. (Hons) Electrical Engineering Degree and is a professionally registered Electrical Engineer (Pr.Eng.) and has completed a Program Executive Business Leadership at Harvard Business School. She has over 10 years of experience in mining operations, projects, and management, with experience in managing and coordinating multidisciplinary teams. She is a seasoned entrepreneur, responsible for the initiation, development, and future growth of Arnot Opco.

Matthews Bagopi
Chief Executive Officer
Minergy Coal

Matthews was appointed as the Acting CEO of Minergy Coal in September 2023 by the Minerals Development Mining Company (MDCB). He is a seasoned minerals engineer with over 30 years of extensive experience in technical development, operations management, and strategic leadership within the mining industry. Before joining Minergy, Matthews was the Chief Technical Officer of the MDCB. Matthews is a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration(SMME), the Southern African Coal Processing Society (SACPS), the Botswana Coal Forum, and an Associate of the Camborne School of Mines, ACSM.

Edwin T Elias
Chief Executive Officer
Morupule Coal Mine

Edwin T. Elias, CEO of Morupule Coal Mine (MCM), is a metallurgical engineer with 20+ years in the diamond and mining sectors. He holds an EMBA from the University of Toronto, chairs the Botswana Chamber of Mines, BITRI, and Morupule Rehabilitation Trust, and serves on several corporate and academic boards.

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.

Geert Klok (Panel Chair)
Chairman of the Board
Chamber of Mines of Mozambique

Geert Klok is a distinguished executive and mining industry leader, currently serving as General Manager at the Ancuabe Graphite Mine and as Chairman of the Chamber of Mines of Mozambique (CMM). He also holds positions as a Professional Speaker, Board Advisor, and Non-Executive Director. Klok has a history of entrepreneurship, having co-founded a legal consulting firm and a fire protection business, and holds a Master's degree in Business Economics from the University of Groningen

Sam Chikowore
Chief 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.

Fred Arendse
President
Junior Mining Council

Fred Arendse, CEO of the SSC Group, is a mining entrepreneur with three decades of corporate experience and the founder of the Junior Mining Council, a voluntary membership NPC entity, to represent and focus on serving the unique needs of, and to be the voice for, the junior mining sector. The junior mining sector is recognised to be vital to the overall health of the South African mining industry, especially in keeping it alive and growing. Fred is also the former Head of Transformation of Anglo American Platinum. In South Africa and in terms of the JMC mandate, the term junior mining takes on a wider meaning and includes exploration companies as well as small to mid-tier producers, professional persons, suppliers and contractors. Fred is a trailblazer. He has a degree in Business Management and Human Resources. He is a true visionary with an ongoing mission of successfully impacting the mining industry and its stakeholders.

Mandy Malebe
CEO
Lethabo Exploration

Mandy Malebe is the CEO of Lethabo Exploration. Lethabo Exploration is South Africa's first 100% black owned exploration and mining company to hold a mining right for diverse minerals which include the majority of Limpopo's strategic minerals, such as platinum group metals, chrome, vanadium and iron ore amongst others. Mandy is a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in law and insurance. Since 2011 Mandy has acquired business experience from various sectors where over the years she has held multiple leadership positions. Mandy is currently serving as one of the Deputy Chairpersons of the Junior Exploration and Mining Leadership Forum at Minerals Council South Africa, where she is also a Board Member representing the junior sector. Mandy continues to be an indispensable pillar as one of South Africa's youngest women CEOs in the mining sector and a respected authority on transformation and empowerment.

Rajen Puckree
CEO
Puckree Group

As a South African entrepreneur with over 30 years local business experience, Rajen is a director of several successful business ventures. Involved in the mining industry since 2003, he has been party to mining and exploration deals concluded with BP Southern Africa, Glencore, Sasol, Anglo American, Continental Coal, Siyanda Resources and Muhunga Mining. He was the CEO of Ongezien Coal Exploration, which mined the Umlilo Colliery and Extension area, and created, managed and funded the current pipeline of projects now incorporated into Puckree Group (Pty) Ltd, Silver Meadow Trading (Pty) Ltd and Ngwenya Mining & Exploration (Pty) Limited.

Tshepang Tshekiso
Mining Manager
Lucara Botswana

Tshepang Tshekiso, Mining Manager at Lucara Botswana, is a seasoned engineer with 10+ years in open-pit and underground mining. Skilled in mine planning, operations, and innovation, he led Karowe’s split shell project, enhances efficiency, mentors future professionals, and researches machine learning applications. Holds MEng (Hons) from Exeter.

Louis Loubser
Cheif Executive Officer
ARM Andalusite PTY Ltd

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.

Onalethata Itseng Gubago

Falcon Metals Resources Botswana

Onalethata Itseng Gubago is a senior executive at Falcon Metal Resources Botswana, leading strategy in diamond, gold and copper exploration across Tsabong and Orapa Greenfields. With a strong background in mineral project development and community engagement in Botswana, she drives sustainable exploration to unlock value while upholding high ESG standards.

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.

Johannes Otlaadisa Tsimako
Deputy Permanent Secretary - Project Management
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Botswana

Johannes Tsimako is the Deputy Permanent Secretary at Botswana's Ministry of Transport and Public Works. An analytical and results-driven leader, he specializes in mineral development projects and is instrumental in advancing the second mine in the Chobe-Ghantsi Mineral Province. With expertise in data analysis, leadership, government policy, and investment strategies, Johannes is known for his strong decision-making and project delivery skills. He excels in database administration and information systems, effectively communicating ideas and driving impactful government initiatives

Dr. Maximilian Matschke
Managing Partner
Anura Partners

Dr Maximilian Matschke is a Munich-born strategy consultant and founder of Swiss-South African firm Anura Partners, serving mining, logistics, automotive, manufacturing, and service sectors. He holds degrees in Technology & Management and a PhD on youth unemployment in South Africa, authoring Youth Unemployment Scenarios: South Africa in 2040.

Lynette Kruger
Market Intelligence Consultant
Morupule Coal Mine

Lynette Kruger is a South African born coal marketing executive with a BCom Marketing from the University of Pretoria. She has 27 years of experience in the domestic and export coal industry. She is currently with Morupule Coal Mine in Botswana where she is responsible for increasing the Botswana coal footprint into South Africa and neighboring countries with quality products and reliable logistic solutions.