Agenda – Schedule and Presentations

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Wednesday, 29 January, 2025

16:00
Early Registration

18:00
Welcome Cocktail Reception | Sponsored by Thungela 

Thursday, 30 January, 2025

7:30
Early Registration & Networking Breakfast

9:30
Session 1 | Keynote Address & Featured Speakers

A new dawn is breaking for South Africa with the power crisis seemingly over, the rail network improving and the new government working more closely with industry. Could 2025 be a pivotal year for the country and the coal mining industry? A senior official from President Ramaphosa’s administration details its reform plans and how these changes will help industry thrive.

Keynote Speaker: Sikhulekile Duma, Director: Project Management Office, The Presidency, Republic of South Africa
Session Chair: John Howland, Senior Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS

10:15

Featured Speaker: James Stevenson, Executive Director, McCloskey by OPIS
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, Africa Editor, McCloskey by OPIS


11:00
Networking Break | Sponsored by Afri In Transit


11:30
Session 2 | South African Coal Leaders Discussion Panel

Session Chair: James Stevenson, Executive Director, McCloskey by OPIS
Mike Teke, Group Chief Executive, Seriti Resources
Bernard Dalton, Executive: Head of Marketing, Thungela
Sakkie Swanepoel, General Manager, Marketing and Logistics, Exxaro Coal (Pty) Ltd
Mpumelelo Mkhabela, Chairman, Menar


12:30
Networking Lunch | Sponsored by Canyon Coal

Canyon Coal


13:30
Session 2 Continued

Featured Speaker – Michelle Phillips, Group Chief Executive, Transnet SOC Ltd
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, Africa Editor, McCloskey by OPIS

14:00
Session 3 | South African Transport and Logistics

Session Chair: Hlengiwe Motaung, Senior South Africa Reporter, McCloskey by OPIS
Bonginkosi Mabaso, Chief Commercial Officer, Transnet Freight Rail
Gavin Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, The Road Freight Association
Alan Waller, Chief Executive Officer, Richards Bay Coal Terminal
James Holley, Chief Executive Officer, Traxtion


15:00
Networking Break | Sponsored by Afri In Transit


15:30
Session 4 | International Buyers Panel

Session Chair: James Stevenson, Executive Director, McCloskey by OPIS
Izham Hassan, Head of Procurement & Supply Chain, TNB Fuel Services
Gautam Jain, Vice President – Commercial, JSW Steel
Rajat Handa, Vice President – International Trade Agarwal Coal Corp. (S) Pte. Ltd
Kelsie Clarke, Purchasing Team, KCH Energy Co. Ltd


17:00
Closing Remarks | Day 1 Concludes

18:30
Offsite Networking Reception | Sponsored by IKWEZI
Transportation to and from the Westin will be provided.

Friday, 31 January, 2025

8:00
Registration and Networking Breakfast

9:00
Session 5 | Keynote Address 

Coal is king in South Africa, but the energy transition is raising questions over its future role. The power ministry’s senior adviser will discuss how the coal industry must prepare for change – the challenge is not coal but reducing emissions.

Keynote Speaker: Silas Zimu, Special Advisor, Ministry of Energy and Electricity
Session Chair: John Howland, Senior Vice President, McCloskey by OPIS


10:00
Session 6 | Challenges for the South African Coal Industry

Featured Speaker Clifford Hallatt, Chief Operating Officer, Menar
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, Africa Editor, McCloskey by OPIS


10:30
Networking Break | Sponsored by Afri In Transit


11:00
Session 7 | Access to Finance

Session Chair: James Stevenson, Executive Director, McCloskey by OPIS
Thabiso Sekano, Head Mining & Metals, Industrial Development Corporation


11:15
Session 8 | A Brighter Outlook for South Africa’s Economy

Session Chair: Sareena Patel, Associate Director, McCloskey by OPIS
Christie Viljoen, Senior Economist, PwC South Africa
Hugo Pienaar, Chief Economist, Minerals Council


11:45
Session 9 | Could South Africa Face Another Power Crisis?

Session Chair: Randy Fabi, Africa Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Robert Futter, Director, Cresco South Africa


12:00
Session 10 | The Future of South Africa’s Coal Industry
Session Chair: Randy Fabi, Africa Editor, McCloskey by OPIS
Dan Mashigo, General Manager, Primary Energy Division

Zaheer Surka, Executive Director, Zarbon Coal
Mosa Mabusa, Chief Executive Officer, Council for Geoscience

12:45
Closing Remarks | Conference Close