Agenda – Schedule and Presentations

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

• With the power crisis seemingly over and the rail situation turning the corner, can Southern Africa’s coal industry expect brighter days ahead?
• How are coal companies responding to the uncertainties surrounding the global energy transition?
• Where are the next opportunities for the industry and how will they be financed?

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

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

• What can we expect from Transnet in 2025?
• How will opening up access to third-party operators improve the rail situation?
• What is the outlook for trucking coal to ports, especially for exporters without RBCT allocation?

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

• How are international coal markets evolving, as nations balance both energy security and energy transition issues?
• What are the geopolitical and economic risks that could significantly alter global coal demand?
• Who are the buyers of South African coal and what is their outlook for 2025?
• With India by far South Africa’s biggest export market, can we expect any major changes to the country’s buying patterns, especially from sponge iron producers?

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

• Financing is drying up for the world’s coal producers. How will South African coal miners fund their future development?
• What options do emerging miners have for financing?
• Insurance is also becoming an issue for coal producers. What are the current challenges and how can they be resolved?

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

• There are growing signs of economic improvement in South Africa. What’s behind this and can it last?
• How will this impact South Africa’s mining industry?
• What policies will be key to helping the coal industry thrive in an uncertain economic environment?

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?

• Is South Africa’s energy crisis really over or could the country still face load shedding this year?
• What is the outlook for South Africa’s energy security as it transitions away from fossil fuels?
• What does the future hold for Eskom’s coal-fired power fleet?

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

• Eskom is by far South Africa’s biggest coal consumer. How much does it need in the long term?
  
• How can Eskom help South African coal producers develop and secure sufficient supplies in the future?
  
• Will Eskom need to further extend the life of coal-fired power plants to ensure energy security?
  
• Mining and logistical costs in South Africa are rising. How are producers managing inflation?
  
• How competitive can South Africa be compared to other major coal producing countries?
  
• What other opportunities and challenges should coal producers be aware of in 2025?

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