Mining Experts Gather in Johanessburg to Discuss Operational Excellence in Mining by Fleming Gulf Conferences

Johannesburg, South Africa, April 28, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Fleming Gulf Conferences hosted the Operational Excellence in Mining Summit on the 24-25 April in Radisson Blu Gautrain, Johannesburg - South Africa. The summit witnessed some of the leading speakers from global mining companies such as Mike Rossouw - Executive Director Operations, Xstrata Alloys Head Office, Pamela Naidoo - Country Manager Exploration, Rio Tinto and President Elect and Vice President, Geological Society of South Africa, Ashley Lalla - General Manager: Joint Venture Projects, Anglo American Platinum, Sakhile Ngcobo - Director, De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited.

The conference boasted an eminent speaker line up where the key note speech entitled, "Operational Excellence in Mining" was presented by Sipho Nkosi, Chief Executive Officer of Exxaro Resources Limited at 9:10 am. Sipho was one of the founders and CEO of Eyesizwe Coal. Prior to Eyesizwe Coal, he was Country Manager of ABB Alstom Power (SA), having previously worked with Anglo Coal and Ingwe. He is currently serving on a number of company boards including Sanlam and also is the immediate past President of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa. Sipho has been serving on the Executive Council of the Chamber since November 2006 and also served as Chairman of the Chamber’s Collieries Committee.

The opening address on day one was given by Mike Rossouw, Executive Director Operations, Xstrata Alloys Head Office at 9:50 am and his topic of presentation was "Africa growing the value of Mining – External or Internal Growth?" Ashley Lalla, General Manager: Joint Venture Projects, Anglo American Platinum the chairman for day one presented at 11:00 am on "The True Value of Operational Excellence." Day two chairperson Pamela Naidoo, Country Manager Exploration, Rio Tinto and President Elect and Vice President, Geological Society of South Africa gave the opening remarks on 9:10 am and presented on "Managing mineral rights for mining and exploration" on day two at 11:30 am.

Operational Excellence in Mining Summit concluded on 25th April 2012, with an interactive panel discussion on "The environmental costs of mining. Who pays?" which included discussion on dealing with land conversion, degradation and habitat alteration, groundwater contamination and acidification, reducing carbon emissions, need for more stringent environmental policies and overcoming the challenges of waste management.