Speaker Profiles
Metals Conference 14 August 2019
Roger Baxter
CEO, Minerals Council South Africa
Roger Baxter is the CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa (previously the Chamber of Mines). He has 27 years of high level advocacy and strategy experience in the mining sector. He was involved in the first mineral policy discussions with the ANC in 1992 and has often led discussions on all aspects of mining, economic, investment, transformation and tax policy with government.
Roger has played a key leadership role in rejuvenating the Chamber brand to the Minerals Council South Africa, in refreshing and repurposing the Minerals Council, and brings material leadership, governance, strategy, investment and transformation skills to the table. He is a board member for the Minerals Council Board, BUSA, and the TEBA Trust; and a director for the World Platinum Investment Council. He is vice-chairman of both the International Associations Working Group within the International Council on Mining and Metals, and the Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa.
Hugo Pienaar
Chief Economist, Bureau for Economic Research
Hugo is the chief economist for the Bureau for Economic Research (BER), the largest macroeconomic research & forecasting house in South Africa. Backed by over 15 years of industry experience, he heads up their macroeconomic forecasts and analysis; additionally he communicates the BER’s perspectives to private & public organizations, financial institutions, the media and foreign investors. In 2003, as an economic reporter for Die Burger, he was voted as one of the top three newcomers at the Sanlam financial journalist of the year awards.
Hugo has a Masters in Economics (Cum Laude) from Stellenbosch University.
Pakama Tsabedze
Sustainability Manager, Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology
Pakama is the Sustainability Manager for Sandvik; a provider of equipment, tools and services for the mining & construction industries. She assess the different commodity industries to identify new markets and opportunities, and identifies the environmental impacts of the company's operations, inefficiencies or areas where the company can improve their environmental impact and advocates ways to improve them.
Previously she was a Senior Process Engineer for Sasol Limited, a process engineer for the Fundani Nathi Tutoring Project and a Design Engineer for Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd.
Pakama holds a MBA from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town.
Clive Govender
Procurement consultant, CEO of CGC Consulting Services
Clive Govender is a veteran business executive, with over 20 years of experience in international procurement and supply chain management, in addition to specializing in strategy and sustainability within the mining industry. With this extensive knowledge base and the experience, Clive founded CGC consulting in 2016. The company focuses on: strategic sourcing & category management, supply chain financing, procurement & supply chain transformation, and supplier & enterprise development. Clive is also a veteran speaker, having been a guest speaker at the London Business Schools’ Senior Executive program and Supply Chain Leadership program.
He was previously Head of Supply Chain for Anglo American Platinum, and the VP for Supply Chain Management and Sustainable Development at ABB (A Swiss-Swedish Multinational). Clive has qualifications from numerous institutions. These include a Senior Executive Programme (SEP) from London Business School, an MBA from Henley Business School, and a BCom from the University of South Africa.
James Holley
Managing Director, Traxtion Sheltam
James is the CEO of Traxtion Sheltam, one of the largest, privately owned mainline locomotive companies in Africa. The services the company provides are extensive, ranging from maintenance of existing of diesel and electric locomotives, rolling stock for mining, industrial, freight and state-owned enterprises throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, to entire locomotive overhauls.
Previously, James was the Divisional Chief Executive for Grindrod, and Manager of Corporate Finance for KPMG.
James holds an accounting qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accounts and is a qualified Chartered Accountants, he has a Bcom Honours in Accounting and Management from Stellenbosch University, and a further Bcom Honours in Accounting from the University of KwaZulu Natal.
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Kervin Ali
Head of Group Procurement, PPC Cement
Kervin Ali is the Head of Group Procurement for PPC, South Africa's leading cement producer. He has specialized in functional transformation efforts, supply relationship management, risk management in supplier operations, negotiation, budgeting, spend analytics and category management implementation.
Kervin has a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) in Strategic Supply from the University of South Africa (UNISA), a General Management Programme, and finance short courses from Gordan Institute of Business Science, as well as the professional qualification (MCIPS) from CIPS, UK.
Thinus Bierman
Managing Director, Senmin
Backed by 35 years of industry experience, Thinus is the MD at Senmin- a manufacturer and supplier of mining chemicals used in the mining & beneficiation of a wide range of metals & ores such as platinum, copper, zinc and coal. He is also the Executive Director for Africa, Europe and Middle East at AEL Mining Services - a leading developer, producer & supplier of commercial explosives. Prior to his current positions, he was a Mine Overseer at Gold Fields Ltd.
Thinus is a NHD Mining graduate from the Witwatersrand School of Mines, and holds a MDP in Business Administration and Management from the University of South Africa.
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Gareth King
Managing Director, Rocbolt Technologies
Gareth is the Managing Director (MD) of Rocbolt Technologies, a joint venture between DSI and JENNMAR; Rocbolt manufacturers and supplies specialized ground control products to the South African underground mining and geotechnical industries. The company offers numerous solutions and products in mining, tunnelling and geotechnical matters.
Prior to Rocbolt Technologies, Gareth has been the MD of Wekaba Engineering, a Director at Steeldale, a Director at Aveng Duraset and the Marketing Director at Fulcrum Engineering.
Gareth has a Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng) specialising in mechanical from the University of Johannesburg, an Executive Leadership Programme from the University of Cape Town, and the Aveng Leadership Development Programme.
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Phillip Tobias
COO, Harmony Gold
Phillip is the Chief Operating Officer at Harmony, a premier South African gold miner. He joined Harmony on 1 July 2014 as the regional general manager for Kusasalethu, Doornkop and Kalgold. He has been in the mining industry for more than 20 years, initially as a postgraduate mining engineer with Gold Fields Limited at their various operations. His operational and managerial experience was developed at a number of gold and platinum mines. Prior to joining Harmony, he was a consulting mining engineer for Anglo American Platinum Joint Venture Operations. He was appointed the first black president of the Association of the Mine Managers of South Africa in 2008.
Phillip has several degrees and certifications, including a B.Sc (Mining Engineering), a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng), a Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competence, the Wits International Executive Development Programme, and GIBS Advanced Management Programme
Lebohang Sekhokoane
Gold Analyst, The Public Investment Corporation'
Lebohang is a research analyst at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Africa's largest asset manager. Backed by several years experience, firstly as a mining engineer and then in the financial services industry, her focus is the South African extractives sector.
Lebohang has a Bachelors Degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand, and most recently a Masters of Management in Finance and Investment, Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law from Wits Business School.
Gerick Mouton
Senior VP , Ivanplats Limited
Gerick is the Senior Vice President at Ivanplats Limited, an Ivanhoe Mines company, and heads-up the world famous Platreef PGM Project in Limpopo, South Africa. Gerick has been involved in the development, implementation and execution of multifaceted mining projects on the African continent for over 20 years and has extensive knowledge in strategic project development and executing capital projects in challenging social environments. Gerick has completed various capital projects in Botswana, Ghana, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Gerick is a Mechanical Engineer by profession, and has also completed a Masters in Philosophy (Sustainable Development within the Minerals Resource Sector) through the University of Cape Town.
Pierre Olivier
Managing Director, Hatch
Pierre is the managing director of Hatch, a renowned mining consulting firm , backed by over 20 years of industry experience his role covers Africa, Europe and the Middle East (AEM) regions. Hatch delivers a range of services, from improving capital efficiency on projects, to offering innovative operational solutions in the Mining, Infrastructure and Energy Sectors. At the 2018 Business Day Supplier Development Awards Hatch won the Youth and Newcomer categories, and was a finalist in the Women’s Empowerment category, emphasizing their continual success and development as a company.
Previosly, Pierre was a Senior SAP Consultant at Spearhead Logistics and a chemist at Impala Platinum.
Pierre holds a PhD specialising in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg.
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Michael Marriot
CEO Africa, Norilsk Nickel
Michael is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Norilsk Nickel Africa, the largest refined nickel & palladium producer in the world, and 4th largest platinum & rhodium producer.
Michael’s mining career spans over 30 years across mining businesses in Africa and Australia, including commodities of gold, (open pit, underground and surface retreatment), manganese, nickel and chrome. Michael’s career in mining operations commenced with AngloGold followed by Cluff Resources, Ashanti Goldfields, Independence Gold, Flemings, DRD Gold and Consolidated Minerals Australia.
Michael is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IODSA) and has served on various boards, and is currently on the Board of Norilsk Nickel Africa (Pty) Limited
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Errol Smart
MD: Africa, Orion Minerals
Errol Smart is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Orion Minerals, owners of the Prieska Copper-Zinc Project in the Northern Cape. Backed by 25 years of industry experience as a geologist, he has become a specialist in exploration, mine development and operation, with a key focus on base metals.
Errol has fostered strong public and private relationships within the mining industry and has held positions at Anglo Gold, African Stellar Group, Cluff Mining, Mettalon Gold, Clarity Minerals and LionGold. Additionally, he is a representative for the Minerals Council South Africa.
Errol is a registered geologist with the South African Council of Natural Scientific Professionals. He has a Bachelor of Science (BSc)(Hons) from the University of Witwatersrand and a NHD (Economic Geology) from Technikon Witwatersrand.
Chabisi Motloung
GM of Afarak and Chairman of FAPA (Ferro Alloys Producers of South Africa)
Chabisi is the General Manager of Afarak SA, a growing, integrated chrome producer supplying specialist products to the steel and stainless steel industries. Additionally, he is the Chairman of the Ferro Alloys Producers of South Africa (FAPA), a group which represents 95% of the Ferrochrome producers and 80% of the ferromanganese producers in South Africa, with the primary role of ensuring the protection of their members’ rights, along with lobbying for improved public/private relations on issues such as electricity pricing, environmental redtape, employment opportunities and innovation.
Previously, Chabisi was an Operations Manager at SAMANCOR, and then a Production Engineer at Kumba Iron Ore, specializing in mineral processing.
Chabisi holds a B-Tech Metallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering from the Vaal University of Technology.
Afriforesight Speakers
Jacques Botha
Chairman and Strategy Economist, Afriforesight
A dedicated researcher & forecaster, Jacques is esteemed for his wide knowledge of global trends and the world of commodities. An economist by training, he obtained his BCom (Hons) in Economics) from the University of Johannesburg, before joining Trust Bank (now ABSA) and then the Bureau for Economic Research (BER).
His innovative approach to forecasting and business makes Jacques a much wanted strategic adviser and he has consequently facilitated and delivered on numerous projects for top organisations in South Africa.
Jacques founded Afriforesight in 1996 with the vision of establishing a world class commodity and project input costs forecasting institute in Africa. His ultimate goal is to leverage Afriforesight's intellectual capital in working towards a better SA economy and make a difference in the development of Africa’s people.
Charles Kieck
CEO and Chief Economist, Afriforesight
Charles is a Chartered Accountant and has recently completed his Masters degree in Economics at UCT, for which he presented a paper investigating the impact of asteroid mining on long-term platinum supply. In addition to serving as Afriforesight’s CEO, he is the Chief Economist leading the research team in delivering forecasts that are often ahead-of-market trends. His unique training as both an accountant and an economist allows him to understand commodity industries starting with the analysis of company financial performance, leading all the way to viewing it from a macro-economic context. He is also responsible for forecasting the input costs of materials and other major project costs used in the mining, energy, construction and manufacturing industries, .He was the technical designer of the Mining Phakisa forecasting model.
Nathan Musson
Chief Commodity Analyst, Afriforesight
Nathan holds a BSc in Mathematics and a BCom Hons degree in Economics from UCT, specialising in General Macroeconomic theory. He has been researching the economy, commodities, and materials for the last 4 years at Afriforesight, quickly working up the ranks. He is an expert in survey data analysis and incorporating the findings into complex mathematical models. He played an active role in building and refining the Mining Phakisa forecasting model for the Presidency and the Minerals Council.
At present, he is Chief Commodity Economist where he is in charge of research on all non-energy commodities and material costs research.
Pearson Mururi
Head: Battery Metals & Processing Chemicals, Afriforesight
Pearson holds a BSc with Honours in Chemistry from the University of Witwatersrand. During his Honours year, he conducted two material science projects with potential application in hybrid cars.
At Afriforesight, he applies his in depth understanding of the chemistry behind mining processes and the industrial application of mined commodities to his research on fuel cells and green methods of producing hydrogen gas focusing on gasification of fossil fuels and biomass.
Eduan Hauman
Head of Project Costs, Afriforesight
Eduan holds BCom (Law) and LLB degrees from the University of Stellenbosch, and a BCom Hons (Economics) from Unisa. His passion for Economics led him to join Afriforesight in 2014. Eduan leads the research on the international copper and aluminium markets as well as the analysis on the South African economy and domestic markets for labour, cement and timber. Eduan is also Afriforesight’s Research Manager.
Jason Welz
Head: Precious Metals & Related Commodities, Afriforesight
Jason holds a BCom in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from UCT, and an MCom in Economics from the University of Stellenbosch. At Afriforesight, he has rapidly developed to become lead analyst for precious metals & its related commodities. He has a keen interest in global political and economic systems, and his research has a special focus on the dynamics of the Chinese and US economies.
Jason is a talented econometrician, and incorporates mathematics & statistical techniques to analyse data in forecasting commodities and materials. He is also a part-time cryptocurrency investor, with good understanding of the technology.
