31 January 2022, JOHANNESBURG – Vedanta Zinc International (VZI), an International Zinc producer, has announced the appointment of Xolani Qamata as General Manager of Black Mountain Mine (BMM) in Aggeneys, Northern Cape. His appointment is effective from 03 January 2022, reporting to Laxman Shekhawat, VZI Business Head.

Prior to Qamata joining BMM, he was General Manager at South32 Manganese Mines, a position he held for the last five years. His career spans over 25 years, of which 15 as a senior manager.

Laxman Shekhawat, Business Head for VZI, said: “We are pleased Qamata has joined the team; he is a seasoned leader in the mining industry, with extensive exposure in Gold, Platinum, Chrome and more recently Manganese mines with trackless mining methods.”

He holds an MBA from Milpark Business School as well as several qualifications in Leadership Development from GIBS and mining-related qualifications including a Mine Managers Certificate of Competency in Metalliferous Mining.

Qamata is excited about the prospects of living in Aggeneys and being a part of the Black Mountain Complex. When asked about how he feels about BMM, he said it feels like coming back home, as he started his first mining shift at Black Mountain Mine in 1996. 

BMM consists of two underground mines, Deeps and Swartberg. VZI has undertaken significant investment to expand the Swartberg mine to about 1,9Mt in FY25. Key to Qamata’s appointment will be to advance the growth plans of the Swartberg deposit, creating a digital and efficient mining operation.

The Swartberg Mine is embarking on a complete digitalisation journey as part of the underground expansion project. This journey will create a range of opportunities emanating from safety, cost, productivity, and sustainability.

Swartberg aims to utilise digitalisation to uphold VZI's first value of safety and pursue its vision of becoming a world class, digitally - enabled operator. Increased mechanisation through automation will allow employees less exposure to harmful underground operations and minimal interface between man and machines.