Mine exec is going places

PALABORA Copper is proud that one of their senior personnel has been nominated for the prestigious National Business Awards.

Keith Mathole, general manager of corporate affairs and company secretary, was nominated as a finalist in the category Top Young Executive of the Year. This category is for business leaders under the age of 40 years who made significant inroads in various industries.

The final awards ceremony will be held at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg, on November 5.

Palabora Copper chief executive officer, Han Jinghua said Mathole’s nomination was an indication of the value he had consistently added to the company.

“It takes considerable courage and experience to handle the combined work of corporate affairs and company secretary,” he said.

Head of the National Business Awards nomination team, Sheri Morgan, said a lot was expected of the winners.

“The build-up to the finalist selection has been extremely difficult this year due to the impressive list of entrants for the different categories. This is going to be a tough race,” she said.

“Tactful and strategic, Mathole has been at the centre of managing the strong relations between the community, trust and pension fund and government during the recent mining turmoil.

“To date, Palabora Copper remains one of the few companies that has not experienced the upheaval that other mining houses have suffered. This was particularly due to the strategic foresight the business has through the corporate affairs and human resources divisions working together over the years.”

She added that Mathole had also been central to the turbulent divestment period by Rio Tinto and Anglo American, which was finalised on August 15 last year, when Palabora Mining Company was bought by a Chinese consortium and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

When asked what motivated him, Mathole said he came to Ba-Phalaborwa over 10 years ago because someone saw potential in him and gave me the chance to prove himself. “All I needed ever since was to believe in others’ abilities too.”

“Strong family values and the support of my wife and children have been critical in trying times. Dealing with the board and the communities is always a daunting task. The dynamics of the Ba-Phalaborwa people are unique. Mining is a very sensitive environment. It is always important to take a step back, reflect every now and then on one’s approach to situations and seek counsel from others. My motivation is to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” he said.

This year, over 100 companies covering a range of categories, including Top Performing Entrepreneur of 2014, Top Young Executive of the Year, Infrastructure Development Award, Investing in People Award, and National Business of the Year, have entered the awards.

To be shortlisted as a finalist, companies and individuals must meet certain criteria, such as boasting an annual turnover of at least R35 million, showing strong year-on-year growth, and providing a compelling motivation.