Novalith Energy | Built for Generations
Chrome ore exports 202523.8 Mt15.7%
China share of SA chrome53%
SA share of world manganese output38%
SA share of world manganese reserves31%
Coal exports 202564.6 Mt4.1%
India share of SA coal48%
Local ownership, new mining rights30%
NOVALITH ENERGY Request a briefing
Mining | Energy | Built environment | South Africa

Your South African operating partner for mining and energy projects.

Novalith works with international companies entering or expanding in South Africa. We take on the ownership, governance, operational and ESG roles a project needs to be compliant, bankable and well run, and we stay accountable for them through the life of the asset.

Request a partnership briefing See where to start
25 yearsmetallurgy and mine management
3 entry engagementsto start a partnership
GRI | ISSBaligned ESG reporting
Core log | NVL-01Depth (m)
0.0
B-BBEE partnershipsOwnership
12.4
Joint ventures and dealsStructure
26.1
Project governanceControl
37.8
Operations managementRun
52.9
Fleet managementEquip
64.3
ESG structuringReport
Each layer can be taken on its own or as one partnership.
Start here

Three focused engagements to begin with.

Most international partners start with one defined piece of work before committing to a long-term partnership. Each of these has a clear scope, a clear deliverable and a team that has done the work before.

For investors and acquirers

Technical due diligence

An independent review of a South African mining or processing asset before you invest in it, fund it or acquire it.

  • Site and processing plant assessment
  • Review of the mine plan, operations and cost base
  • ESG and governance gaps that funders will test
  • Written findings and risk register
Led byA metallurgist and mine manager with 25 years of experience
For project owners and sponsors

Funding readiness

Preparing a project to go to banks and development finance institutions with the package they expect to see.

  • Funding structure across commercial and development finance
  • ESG asset score and due diligence readiness review
  • Governance framework for the project entity
  • Funder-ready project pack and data room
Backed byThe funding structure and ESG asset score prepared for the Kroondal project
For mining right holders and applicants

Social and Labour Plans

Designing and implementing the Social and Labour Plan a mining right requires, with commitments that can be delivered and reported on.

  • Host community and stakeholder mapping
  • Local economic development and skills commitments
  • Implementation schedule and responsible owners
  • Progress tracking and annual reporting
Backed byThe community implementation framework and community trust model built for Kroondal

Each engagement can lead into a wider partnership covering B-BBEE ownership, joint ventures and operations.

Services

One partner across the full project stack.

International operators usually arrive with capital, technology and a mandate. What they need locally is a partner who carries real ownership, knows how South African mining and energy projects are permitted, governed and run, and can report on them to lenders and communities.

B-BBEE ownership partnerships

A substantive locally owned partner for companies that need to operate in South Africa, with ownership that carries economic interest, board participation and operating responsibility.

  • Ownership structuring for mining rights and operating entities
  • Alignment with the Mining Charter and B-BBEE Codes
  • Employee and host community participation schemes

Joint ventures and partnership deals

Deal structuring for joint ventures between international operators, local right holders, communities and funders.

  • JV structure, shareholder terms and profit allocation
  • Community trust design and governance
  • Funding structures across commercial and development finance

Project governance and delivery

Governance frameworks and project management that give boards, funders and regulators a clear record of decisions and progress.

  • Committee charters, terms of reference and delegations of authority
  • Resolution, action, risk and interest registers
  • Project scheduling, reporting and stakeholder management

Operations management

On-the-ground management of mining and beneficiation operations, led by a metallurgist and mine manager with 25 years in the field.

  • Mine and processing plant management
  • Beneficiation and tailings reprocessing operations
  • Safety, production and cost reporting

Fleet management

Planning and oversight of the mobile and plant equipment an operation depends on, so availability and cost stay visible.

  • Fleet sizing and deployment planning
  • Maintenance scheduling and contractor oversight
  • Utilisation and availability reporting

ESG structuring and reporting

ESG built into the project structure from the start, measured and reported in the formats lenders and investors ask for.

  • ESG asset scoring and due diligence readiness
  • Community implementation frameworks
  • Reporting aligned to GRI and ISSB standards
Commodities

Three South African commodities the world buys.

South Africa is a leading global supplier of chrome, manganese and coal. Novalith partners with Asian and international buyers, processors and traders to secure, develop and operate supply from all three.

Cr | Chrome ore

Chrome

23.8 Mtexported in 2025, with China taking 53%

China's ferrochrome industry depends on South African ore. Chrome tailings add supply that can be recovered from existing dumps.

Novalith roleTailings reprocessing, beneficiation, offtake structuring and operations, as structured at Kroondal
Mn | Manganese ore

Manganese

38%of world mine production in 2025, the largest of any country

South Africa also holds about 31% of the world's manganese reserves, making it a long-term source for steel and battery supply chains.

Novalith roleOwnership partnerships, joint ventures, operations and fleet management
C | Thermal coal

Coal

64.6 Mtexported in 2025, mainly to Asian buyers

India took 31.1 Mt of South Africa's 2025 coal exports, followed by Pakistan, South Korea and China.

Novalith roleOwnership partnerships, operations, fleet management and offtake to Asian markets

Sources: SARS export data via Mysteel (chrome); USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (manganese); AXS Marine data via Banchero Costa (coal).

B-BBEE partnerships

Ownership that holds up to scrutiny.

Transformation requirements in South African mining are specific. Novalith structures partnerships that meet them in substance as well as on paper, because funders, regulators and communities test both.

What a new mining right requires

Under Mining Charter 2018, a new mining right carries a minimum 30% local ownership requirement for the duration of the right, distributed across local entrepreneurs, employees and host communities. Our role is to hold and structure that participation properly, and to keep it governed.

We do not offer nominee or passive ownership. Every Novalith partnership carries real economic interest, real participation in decisions and real operating accountability.

30%
Minimum local ownership for a new mining right
Mining Charter 2018
5%
Minimum for employees, through an employee share scheme
Mining Charter 2018
5%
Minimum for host communities, in equity or equity-equivalent benefits
Mining Charter 2018
Approach

How a partnership comes together.

Each engagement follows the same sequence, whether we start at market entry or join a project already in development.

Step 1

Assess

Review the asset, the mandate and the regulatory position. Identify the ownership, community and ESG requirements the project has to meet.

Step 2

Structure

Design the ownership, JV and funding structure, the community participation model and the governance framework.

Step 3

Mobilise

Stand up the operating entity, appoint management, plan the fleet and put reporting in place before production starts.

Step 4

Operate and report

Run and oversee operations, maintain the registers and report on performance and ESG outcomes to partners and funders.

Current project

Kroondal chrome tailings reprocessing.

Novalith's centrepiece project, structured with operator partner Dhahabu Mining and Equipment.

Project | NVL-KRD

Recovering chrome from a legacy dump.

Location
Rustenburg, North West, South Africa
Commodity
Chrome, LG6 tailings
Process
Chrome wash plant beneficiation
Novalith role
ESG structuring, community framework, funding structure

Rehabilitation through reprocessing

The project recovers saleable chrome from historic tailings and reduces a legacy environmental liability in the process.

Community participation

A structured community implementation framework with a formal community trust holding a share of joint venture profits.

Reporting to funders

An ESG asset score and reporting infrastructure aligned to GRI and ISSB, prepared for lender due diligence.

Funding approach

Commercial funding as the primary route, with development finance as a concessional layer.

Leadership

Founder-led and accountable from the first briefing.

Novalith delivers through a core technical team in metallurgy, mine operations and project management, supported by accredited specialists wherever a licensed sign-off is required.

LS

Lihle Skeyi

Founder | Director: Investments and Development

Leads Novalith's investments, ESG structuring, project governance and partner relationships. Brings more than eight years of brand and market strategy for blue-chip companies including Coca-Cola, Toyota and Nestle.

Sectors

Where we work.

Our partnerships cover projects across three connected sectors.

Mining and beneficiation

New and existing mining operations, tailings reprocessing and mineral beneficiation.

Energy

Generation projects and the repurposing of existing energy assets as South Africa's energy mix changes.

Built environment

Infrastructure that supports mining and energy operations and their host communities.

Request a briefing

Planning to operate in South Africa?

Tell us about your company, your project and the role you need a local partner to play. The Novalith team will review your request and arrange a partnership briefing.

What do you need?
Commodity
Novalith Energy, Built for Generations
Lihle SkeyiFounder | Director: Investments and Development
Emaillihleskeyi@novalithenergy.com
OfficeBlock A, Willow Wood Office Park, Cedar Road and 3rd Street, Broadacres, Johannesburg, 2021