Conference Agenda

Day 1 | Monday 8 September 2025

14:00 Registration desk opens
@Sandton Hotel Foyer

18:00 Networking reception, @Sandton Hotel Clubhouse
We're delighted to invite you to our Networking Reception taking place the evening
before the conference kicks off. Join us at @Sandton Hotel Clubhouse for a relaxed and
informal gathering designed to help delegates connect, share ideas, and get to know
one another in a warm and welcoming setting.

Day 2 | Tuesday 9 September 2025

09:00 Coffee & networking

10:00 – SESSION 1
Geopolitics and the outlook for commodities

Dr Jack Bedder, Project Blue
Jessica Fung, Project Blue
Keynote: Bongani Motsa, Minerals Council

11:00 – Coffee & networking

11:20 – SESSION 2
Global trends in manganese ores and alloys

Presentation: Kevin Fowkes, AlloyMetrics
Panel chair: Kevin Fowkes, AlloyMetrics
Conni Moolman, IDC
Oscar Van Antwerpen, Minrom
Richard Lilleike, Exxaro
Tanisha Schultz, Project Blue
Tracey Cloete, Jupiter Mines

12:20 – SESSION 3
Vanadium and the role of South Africa

Presentation: Dr Jack Bedder, Project Blue
Panel chair: Dr Jack Bedder, Project Blue
Erik Sardain, Project Blue
Seten Naidoo, Vanadium Holdings
Gerrit Maritz, Metzana
Sam Mtleini, BELCO

13:00 – Networking lunch

14:00 – SESSION 4
Chromium: under the spotlight

Presentation: Tanisha Schultz, Project Blue
Panel chair: Dr Nils Backeberg, Project Blue
Mike Miller, Mantengu Resources
Clara Sadomba, Silvergill
Jono Gay, ChromTech
Tanisha Schultz, Project Blue

14:50 – Coffee & networking

15:15 – SESSION 5
Logistics and shipping in RSA

Presentation: Luke Nickels, Signal Group
Panel chair: Kenneth Williams, Makoya Group
Shaun Moses, DTIC
Mandisa Mondi, Transnet
Marla Melo Calado, MPDC
Ermelinda Xerinda, CFM

Conference Agenda – Day 3 | Wednesday, 10 September 2025

09:00 – Coffee & networking

09:30 – KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Prof Sampson Mamphweli, SANEDI

09:50 – SESSION 7
Country Spotlights

Presentation: Dr Nils Backeberg, Project Blue
Presentation: Zhou Hang, Henan Gangneng Industrial
Presentation: Nishtha Mukherjee, BigMint

10:40 – SESSION 8
Ferroalloys – what next domestically and globally?

Presentation: Nellis Bester, FAPA/Ferroglobe
Panel chair: Nellis Bester, FAPA/Ferroglobe
Johan Strydom, Columbus Stainless
Japie Fullard, Glencore
Theo Morkel, Transalloys

11:30 – Coffee & networking

11:30 – SESSION 9
Energy and technology

Presentation: Stefan de Beer, Metix
Presentation: Azwi Mamanyu, Eskom

12:10 – SESSION 10
Financing ferroalloy supply chains

Jessica Fung, Project Blue
Thobelo Bixa, Nedbank
Marnus Terblanche, Investec
Cecilia Marule, Maisels Group

12:55 – CONFERENCE CLOSING

Dr Nils Backeberg, Project Blue
Lunch

14:30 – COMMODITY NETWORKING ROUND TABLES