Key Factors
- Mpumi Zikalala grew to become CEO of Kumba Iron Ore in 2022, main the corporate to substantial monetary progress and solidifying its world place.
- Beneath Zikalala’s management, Kumba’s market capitalization surged to $6.3 billion, with internet revenue rising 51.64% to $1.66 billion by 2024.
- Zikalala advocates for variety, holding management roles in a number of organizations and selling gender fairness in South Africa’s mining sector.
From her humble beginnings within the enterprise world, Nompumelelo “Mpumi” Zikalala has risen to turn out to be one of many main figures within the world mining business, because of her distinctive management. Her appointment as CEO of Kumba Iron Ore on Jan. 1, 2022, solidified her function as a transformative drive not solely in Africa’s mining sector but in addition within the broader company world.
Because the CEO of Kumba Iron Ore, Zikalala oversees the operations of a South African mining large with a market capitalization of $6.3 billion. She is on the forefront of driving operational excellence and transformative change, all whereas persistently delivering spectacular worth to shareholders. Her journey to the highest of Kumba is a strong testomony to her resilience, ambition, and unwavering dedication to excellence.
Breaking obstacles in mining management
Armed with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the College of the Witwatersrand and management growth coaching from the London Enterprise College, Mpumi Zikalala started her profession at De Beers in 2001 as a course of engineer. At De Beers, the world’s largest producer and distributor of diamonds, a subsidiary of Anglo American Plc, she labored on course of enchancment and plant design tasks, rapidly progressing by means of numerous roles inside manufacturing administration.
Her management journey took a major leap in 2007 when Zikalala grew to become the primary feminine Basic Supervisor at De Beers Group, overseeing Kimberley Mines. From there, she continued to rise by means of the ranks, changing into the Basic Supervisor of Voorspoed Mine in 2010. By 2017, she was promoted to Deputy CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines, and in April 2019, she was appointed Managing Director of De Beers Group Managed Operations, the place she took on accountability for operations in each South Africa and Canada.
Mpumi Zikalala leads Kumba Iron Ore to report income
Zikalala’s appointment as CEO of Kumba Iron Ore marked the beginning of a transformative period for the corporate, along with her visionary management solidifying Kumba’s place as Africa’s largest iron ore producer. Beneath her route, Kumba has skilled substantial progress, with distinctive monetary success that has benefited its shareholders, together with Anglo American, which holds a 70 % stake, equal to 224,535,915 shares.
With Zikalala on the helm, Kumba’s strategic focus and operational resilience have elevated its world standing, driving a surge in market capitalization to R109.9 billion ($6.3 billion). This success was additional demonstrated by a 51.64 % rise in internet revenue, which grew from R19.66 billion ($1.1 billion) in 2022 to R29.81 billion ($1.66 billion) by the fiscal 12 months ending February 20, 2024.
Moreover, the group’s complete property noticed a outstanding improve, rising from R43.03 billion ($2.42 billion) to R93.21 billion ($5.21 billion), a testomony to Zikalala’s strategic acumen and dedication to operational resilience.
Range drives Zikalala’s management impression
In 2023, Zikalala’s compensation package deal of R26.6 million ($1.49 million) mirrored her pivotal function in Kumba Iron Ore’s success. Her possession of 12,500 shares, valued at R4.23 million ($0.236 million), additional aligns her with the corporate’s mission.
Past her company achievements, Zikalala is a powerful advocate for variety and inclusivity in company South Africa. As Chairperson of Sishen Iron Ore Firm (Pty) Ltd, she makes use of her platform to advertise gender fairness and develop alternatives for girls in mining and management roles.
Earlier than becoming a member of Kumba, Zikalala served as a non-executive director for the Black Administration Discussion board and Mintek. She additionally chairs the Ponahalo Equal Allocation Belief and serves as a trustee on the College of Johannesburg Belief. Her recognition as one of many 2018 High 100 International Inspirational Ladies in Mining additional underscores her transformative impression on the business.
