Dr Xolani Humphrey Mkhwanazi elected Vice-President of The Chamber of Mines of South Africa

Members of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa today elected Dr Xolani Humphrey Mkhwanazi, Chairman of BHP Billiton South Africa, as the second Vice-President of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa. This follows the resignation of Mr David Noko, the Managing Director of De Beers Consolidated Mines.

Dr Mkhwanazi holds a BSc Maths and Physics from the University of Botswana and Swaziland, and completed an MSc and PhD in Applied Physics at the University of Lancaster, UK. He began his career as a Lecturer in Physics at the University of Swaziland in 1978. During his career he became Head of the Physics Department. He left Swaziland for Perth, Australia during 1988 as a refugee. On his return to South Africa in 1993 he joined the Atomic Energy Corporation as a Senior Scientist in Applied Radiation Technology. He later took a position of Technology Transfer Manager at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In 1997 the CSIR seconded him to establish the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) which played a key role in the formulation of the National Science and Technology Policy White Paper. In January 1999 he was appointed the CEO of the National Electricity Regulator (NER) where he was tasked with rebuilding it into a reputable Regulatory Authority in Africa.

Dr Mkhwanazi joined the private sector as CEO of the Process Engineering Company, Bateman Africa Limited. In this current position at BHP Billiton, he is the custodian of the BHP Billiton business strategy in South Africa. He oversees the company’s governance compliance with the company’s legal and social requirements and is also responsible for the overall stakeholder management and company positioning in South Africa. He chairs the SA Operational Committee, comprising of the global CSG Presidents of businesses with operations in South Africa, i.e. Aluminium, Energy Coal and Manganese.

For any enquiries related to this media statement please contact:

Jabu Maphalala
Deputy Communications Adviser
Chamber of Mines of South Africa