Mineral Resources executive resigns as Phakisa talks end

DEPARTMENT of Mineral Resources directorgeneral Thibedi Ramontja has resigned from his position “for personal reasons”, the department said on Tuesday. Mr Ramontja was the most senior permanent appointment in the department and his resignation comes only weeks after five weeks of talks on Project Phakisa. The project is an ambitious range of proposals by mining leaders and the state to save the industry.

DEPARTMENT of Mineral Resources director-general Thibedi Ramontja has resigned from his position “for personal reasons”, the department said on Tuesday.

Dr Ramontja is the most senior permanent appointment in the department and his resignation comes only a few weeks after the conclusion of five-week talks on Project Phakisa.

Driven by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, the project is an ambitious range of proposals put forward by mining leaders and the government to save the industry.

Dr Ramontja’s departure, after four years as director-general, comes a year before the end of his five-year contract and only three months after the appointment of a new minerals minister, Mosebenzi Zwane. Mr Zwane replaced Ngoako Ramatlhodi, who was in the post for just more than a year. To allay suspicions of a disagreement, Mr Zwane praised Dr Ramontja’s professionalism and contribution in a statement. “The DG (director-general) and I have worked well since I joined the department,” he said. “His work ethic and commitment are indeed commendable, and I would like to wish him well for the future.”

However, Chamber of Mines CEO Roger Baxter said: “It is regrettable that the department has undergone so many changes at a senior level in the past year.

“More than ever, the industry needs certainty, continuity and predictability. That said, we would like to thank Dr Ramontja for his material contribution and service to the mining industry during his tenure as director-general.

“We wish him well in the next chapter of his career. At the same time, we look forward to working with his successor.”

Dr Ramontja joined the department from the Council for Geoscience, where he was CEO for eight years. Between 1986 and 1996, he worked for Gold Fields as a geologist. He has a PhD in mineral economics from the University of the Witwatersrand. He rarely appeared in public or had any media interaction, unlike his predecessor, Sandile Nogxina, who was always accessible.

The department said Dr Ramontja would leave at the end of next month and an acting appointment would be announced “in due course”. It would take time to advertise the permanent appointment and conduct interviews, and Dr Ramontja’s successor would have to be approved by Cabinet, a department spokesman said.