Marna Cloete

MARNA Cloete was appointed CEO of Ivanhoe in early 2025, adding to her title as president and capping a meteoric rise that saw her oversee the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s fastest-growing and highest-grade copper mines. That also became an immediate headache for her when seismic activity in May on the eastern side forced a temporary closure of operations. The result was a revamping of the engineering around the life-of-mine plan for the entire complex because the event had in her words “changed our understanding of the whole geology of the region”.

In her native South Africa, Cloete oversaw in 2025 the launch of the long-delayed $2bn Platreef platinum mine 270km northeast of Johannesburg, which will initially produce about 100,000 ounces of platinum per year. A mechanised and low-cost project, there is a second phase in development with plans for expansion after that.

Ivanhoe also signed a memorandum of understanding in late 2025 with Qatar’s flush sovereign wealth fund for $500m to advance the company’s exploration and production activities in the DRC, underlining its commitment to the sprawling mineral-rich but conflict-riven country in the heart of Africa. It’s all part of Ivanhoe’s critical minerals drive which reflects a wider global scramble for the metals and minerals needed for the green energy transition. Ivanhoe is also on the hunt for copper in places like Angola.