Thoriso Resources

Majority black woman-owned and -managed mining and services company Thoriso Resources (Thoriso), which was established in mid-November 2018, is seeking opportunities in the coal and metalliferous mining industry, MD Vuyokazi Nontso tells SA Mining.

The new kid on the contract mining block has a special focus on both surface and underground mining.

The entity is headed by Mining Engineers Vuyokazi Nontso and Don Turvey, currently the chairman of Mooiplaats Colliery. “Together we have vast experience equalling to 52 years in coal and hard-rock mining,” says Nontso.

The team, which is geared to move more than 100 000 tonnes of coal per month, is currently undertaking site visits for potential clients and providing quotes on contract work for both underground and surface mining.

“Thoriso will source operators on a project-by-project basis in local communities in which it operates. There are many retrenched miners in mining communities and this is a way of giving back to stem the mining unemployment tide,” says Nontso, who explains that contract mining is gaining traction.

Given the high capital requirements associated with mining, junior and medium-sized companies who continue to seek cost-effective mining options see contract mining as a good option.

“Contract mining is becoming an attractive alternative for mining companies,” explains Nontso.

The company offers the following services for contract mining: surface production drilling; haul road construction; top soil stripping; removal of soft and hard material; and coal mining. Apart from offering underground coal mining, support and dyke development, Thoriso also offers crushing and screening, surface rehabilitation and materials handling.

In addition to establishing a local presence, the company aspires to expand its footprint in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regions, particularly in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and potentially Zimbabwe.

According to Nontso, demand for coal is driven primarily by the strong appetite locally and from Asia, especially India and China.

The company has a desire “to be known as a contract mining and services company that delivers timeously, efficiently and cost-effectively for clients”.

“Thoriso, which strives to create a culture of excellent service delivery and integrity, is armed with a mission to leave a legacy of empowering its employees, ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining good healthy relations with its suppliers,” concludes Nontso.

“I am excited to see Vuyo’s dreams come true in becoming an entrepreneur. It is now my privilege to share my experience and network to assist the company in becoming a legacy. I believe the timing is right to introduce Thoriso to the mining sector given the Mining Charter requirements,” says Turvey.

Thoriso Resources management

MD Vuyokazi Nontso, who has majority ownership of a 51% stake in the company, holds a National Higher Diploma in Coal Mining, BTech Mining Engineering qualification from the University of Johannesburg and an LLB degree from Unisa and is the first black woman in South Africa to have had a Mine Managers Certificate of Competency (2002). She has Mine Managers Certificates for both coal and metalliferous mines.

Don Turvey, Thoriso Resources’ business development director, has a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of Pretoria and an MBL degree from Unisa. He has 34 years of mining experience in both underground and surface mining and holds a 49% stake in Thoriso. His experience includes senior management roles in production, project execution, business development and minerals resource management mainly with BHP Billiton, and for the past 10 years he has been CEO of listed and unlisted junior mining companies. Turvey is currently the CEO of Inani Lethu Group of Companies (level 2 B-BBEE).

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