The local trading and investment firm offers junior miners and blue-chip companies access to energy-focused commoditiesWhile trading and investment firms are vital to blue-chip operations and junior miners alike, few are willing to get involved in mineral beneficiation. E&T Minerals has committed to creating greater value for clients, while improving its own profitability, by providing beneficiation solutions.
“We have built this business on the principles of reliability, efficiency, excellence and transparency, and our focus is on sustainable mining assets with sustainable reserves on the back of which we can structure long-term trades,” says Ngulube. “We had some difficulty with the European markets when the initial thrust of going green occurred, and there was a lack of investment in coal in these markets, which is still the case today. However, we are now witnessing a pushback, suggesting coal will still be around for some time, especially as, I suspect, the energy crisis will worsen before things improve.”
“The utility owns its own fleet of ships and picks up coal around the globe, but due to the war, they came to us. This gave us sole access to a ship — as opposed to having to find space on another organisation’s ship — and enabled us to supply a shipment worth of coal direct to the end user. “SA has a huge youth unemployment challenge, and we feel the people best suited to fix this problem are the youth themselves. We have brought in people who share the same vision and the skills to position us as best-in-class. Not only is it really cool to have people who are incredible at what they do, which allows the business to focus on leading the pack, it also helps [that] they are entrepreneurial.
“The ultimate goal is to grow the business to a point where the European business will be sustainable, by delivering efficiency, stability and continuation of supply,” Ngulube says.