Zipho Buthelezi is a qualified chemical engineer with nearly 15 years of experience in the Mining sector, primarily in operations and project management. He has led and contributed to strategic and impactful transformational initiatives and projects, contributing towards the attainment of priority medium- and long-term organisational goals and deliverables. These include the Gangama rutile mine expansion in Sierra Rutile Pala mine and RBM group-wide risk and capital reporting project implementation. His experience is diverse on the African continent, having fulfilled roles with leadership accountability in multiple countries outside of South Africa.

Based on his extensive exposure to diverse dynamics within the mining industry, he is able to guide and implement an organisation's growth strategy with confidence. Furthermore, his vast experience in production environments has given him the ability to drive corporate sustainability objectives by ensuring effective implementation of work practices and systems within the company and ensuring they are consistent with statutory requirements. He can also assess, troubleshoot, optimise and report on a company's performance. In addition to his industry-related experience, Zipho possesses proven strategic leadership qualities and capabilities.

Zipho has gained extensive experience in various fields of metallurgy, strategy and predictions models simulations. This includes but is not limited to; strategy development and forecasting, revision of organisation policies, project management, defect elimination in operations, root cause failure analysis (RCFA), overseeing the development of feasibility studies in mining operations, quality management, plant optimisation, and the analysis of end-customer requirements.

Regarded as a leader in his sector, Zipho is a member of the SAIMM (South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy), and has served as chair of the advisory committee for the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA) for the KZN region. He is also a member of the JSE advisors group of economic competitiveness in Southern Africa.

Zipho greatly values his knowledge and expertise, holding a BSc Honours in Management of Technology from the University of Pretoria, and a BTech degree in Chemical Engineering from the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Believing in continued skills development, he is currently completing his MSc in Engineering Management through the University of Pretoria.