Mmakau Mining focuses on investing in sustainable mining ventures that drive long-term value for both the company and the communities in which it operates. This commitment is delivered through empowerment-led procurement, inclusive management partnerships and the development of entrepreneurial capacity across the mining value chain.
Mmakau Mining is governed by a board of directors and executive management team with relevant disciplines, together offering more than 170 combined years of local and international expertise in mining, mining construction, development, technical services, financial management and human resources.
Bridgette Motsepe is a political science graduate who is a pioneer in the South African mining Industry. She has more than a decade of experience in contract mining, mining construction and mergers and acquisitions. Ms Motsepe was a founding President and board member of the New Africa Mining Fund, founder and President of the South African Mining Development Association (the Junior Mining Chamber) and Vice Chairperson of the Minerals and Mining Development Board that advises the Minister of Mineral, Resources and Energy. She has also served on the boards of Sappi, Barloworld, the National Research Foundation, the Northwest Development Corporation, and others.
Rowan Karstel has 36 years of experience in the mining industry across gold and coal operations. He spent 17 years at BHP Billiton, where he progressed from deep-level gold mining into senior operational roles across large open-cut and underground coal mines. He has served as Chief Executive Officer of Keatonne Energy Holdings, Beacon Hill Resources (listed on the ASX and AIM) and Buffalo Coal (listed on the TSX). Rowan holds degrees in Civil and Mining Engineering from the University of Pretoria, an MSc in Mineral Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch.
John Simms has extensive experience in mining management, consulting and mine planning. He has served as Managing Director and Principal Consultant at Badger Mining and Consulting (Pty) Ltd since 1993, where his work has focused on project management, mining operations and mine planning. Prior to this, he held senior general management roles at Rand Mines, including Crocodile River Platinum Mine, Majuba Colliery, Welgedacht Colliery and Rietspruit Colliery. His career reflects deep operational knowledge across both platinum and coal mining environments.
Errico Vascotto has over 40 years of international mining experience across Africa, Australia, and the Americas. He has worked in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Australia, the United States, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, holding senior operational and project leadership roles. His experience includes serving as General Manager at East Rand Proprietary Mines, project management roles at Shaft Sinkers and Murray & Roberts Cementation, and business development leadership at Aveng Mining in South America. Prior to joining Mmakau Mining, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Premier African Minerals on a consultancy basis.
Gerard Kemp has over four decades of leadership experience across mining, investment banking and resources development. He holds an MSc in Mining Engineering from Wits University, an MDP and Development Programme in Labour Relations from UNISA, and an NHD in Mine Surveying from the Department of Minerals and Energy. He is the founder of M Squared Resources (M2R) and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Kaouat Iron Limited and as head of the Pamodzi Resources Investment Fund, where he founded Rand Uranium. His earlier career includes senior roles at Rand Merchant Bank and BoE Merchant Bank, and he spent 22 years within Anglo American’s Gold Division as a mine surveyor and mineral economist. Gerard currently serves as Chairman of Triton Africa and DCX Bullion and has held numerous executive and non-executive board positions across the mining and investment sectors.
Launched in the 1980s, Mmakau Mining has grown into one of Africa’s most significant mining companies. From its origins as a contract miner — managing shafts and procuring services for major mining houses — the company graduated to ownership and development of its own mining operations in the early 1990s.
The group significantly broadened its skills and mining services base through the acquisition of a 36% shareholding in Shaft Sinkers (Pty) Ltd, a world leader in shaft-sinking and underground mining construction.
Mmakau Mining is a pioneering African mining group that began operations as a contract miner across chrome, coal, platinum, gold and uranium exploration. Today, the company’s core focus areas are coal and platinum.
Mmakau Mining’s business philosophy is rooted in sustainable wealth creation through responsible mining practices, targeted procurement, entrepreneur development, skills enhancement and socio-economic development.
As a producer of minerals and developer of human resources, the company seeks to generate long-term value through the sustainable development of resources and communities wherever it operates. This is achieved by enabling meaningful community participation, creating employment and skills development opportunities, and ensuring broad-based indigenous participation across the mining value chain.
Mmakau Mining applies its philosophy through strong corporate governance, sound management practices and a commitment to ethical, responsible operations.
Mmakau Mining applies its philosophy through strong corporate governance, sound management practices and a commitment to ethical, responsible operations.