Sipho Nkosi, Exxaro CEO, has been awarded the Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award at the general meeting of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) in Johannesburg. This is presented to an individual for the very highest achievement in the South African mining and metallurgical industry. Nkosi was recognised for his substantial contribution to the South African minerals industry over many years and for his leadership role within South African society.

The award was instituted in 1980 by SAIMM to commemorate Brigadier Stokes’ outstanding and unique contribution to the South African mining industry over a long period. The first award went to Harry Oppenheimer and since then the institute has bestowed the award on well-known persons in the mining and metallurgical industry. Exxaro board members Dr Con Fauconnier and Rick Mohring are previous recipients.

Exxaro is one of the largest South African-based diversified resources groups, with interests in the coal, titanium dioxide, ferrous and energy commodities and current operations and projects in South Africa, Botswana, Republic of Congo, China and Australia. The group is the second-largest coal producer in South Africa with current production of 39 Mt/y. It is listed on the JSE Limited, and is a constituent of the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) index.