IWF member profile

Mpumi Zikalala

Mpumi Zikalala

CEO, Kumba Iron Ore Limited | Chairman, Sishen Iron Ore Company | Leadership Expert in Mining and Sustainability

Mpumi Zikalala is the CEO of Kumba Iron Ore and Chairman of the operating entity, Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty) Ltd. Mpumi started her career at De Beers in 2001 as a process engineer and held various leadership roles within production management. In 2007, she was appointed General Manager at De Beers Kimberley Mines, becoming the first female General Manager in the De Beers Group. In 2010, she was appointed General Manager of De Beers Voorspoed Mine and in 2013 became Senior Vice-President of De Beers Sightholder Sales South Africa. Mpumi was promoted to Deputy CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines in 2017 and to Managing Director, De Beers Group Managed Operations, in 2019, covering operations in South Africa and Canada. 

Mpumi serves as the Deputy President of the Minerals Council of South Africa and as one of the CEO sponsors on the South African National Logistics Crisis Committee. She is the Chairperson of the Private Sector Forum of the South African National AIDS Council. 

Her leadership and influence have been recognized globally:

  • Campaign Ambassador, International Day for Women in Mining (2023)
  • Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining (2018), Mayfield, London

Education & Qualifications

  • BSc in Chemical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand
  • Leadership Development Programme, London Business School