Bayanda Mncwango Returns to Richards Bay Minerals as Managing Director
Bayanda Mncwango Returns to Richards Bay Minerals as Managing Director. Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has announced the return of Bayanda Mncwango as its managing director, following his time with Glencore Copper in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mncwango previously served as RBM’s chief operating officer (COO) from 2019 to 2022, during which he was responsible for operations across the company’s mining, processing and logistics value chain.
His responsibilities during that period included overseeing safe operations, technical development and long-term strategic planning.
Mncwango joins RBM again after serving at Glencore, where he was COO and director of operations for Kamoto Copper Company before moving into a regional leadership position.
He brings 25 years of mining experience covering platinum, heavy minerals and copper. He began his career in Anglo American’s Platinum division before joining Rio Tinto in 2019.
His return comes as RBM continues work on several areas identified by Rio Tinto iron and titanium managing director Sophie Bergeron, including the Zulti South project, the company’s decarbonisation programme, local procurement, enterprise development and community partnerships.
Welcoming Mncwango back to the business, Bergeron said his return comes at an important time for RBM.
Bergeron also thanked Wilhemina Ngcobo, who has served as acting managing director since July, for her role during the interim period.
Ngcobo will resume her position as COO and will continue working with Mncwango following his return.
According to Bergeron, Ngcobo maintained a focus on safety, operational performance and partnership while serving as acting managing director.
Mncwango’s return places an experienced mining executive back in a leadership position at RBM, where he previously spent three years as COO.
His experience across different areas of the mining industry includes operational and leadership roles in platinum, heavy minerals and copper, as well as experience spanning mining operations, processing and logistics.
