Founder Fridays : E&T Minerals

Before becoming a mining entrepreneur, commodities trader, and business leader, Emmanuel Ngulube’s connection to the industry began through his family’s employment agency. That early exposure would eventually develop into a career spanning mining, logistics, commodities, and investment across Southern Africa.

Today, he serves as Co-Founder and CEO of E&T Minerals and is part of the leadership team behind the reopening of Asure Colliery in South Africa.

His journey is not one of overnight success or rapid growth. Instead, it is a story of persistence, calculated risk-taking, strong partnerships, and a willingness to start at the bottom and work his way up.

Starting on the Workshop Floor

Emmanuel’s entry into the mining sector was far from glamorous. Joining earthmoving equipment company Dozer as a general worker, he spent his early days handling basic tasks and learning the business from the ground up. As he moved into stores management and later sales, he developed a firsthand understanding of both the operational and commercial realities of the industry.

One of his earliest breakthroughs came when he secured De Beers as a customer, supplying replacement parts for mining equipment. A visit to one of the company’s operations left a lasting impression and sparked a deeper interest in the sector.

Seeing the scale of the equipment and the role mining played in the economy, Emmanuel began looking beyond equipment supply and towards opportunities within the broader mining value chain. What started as curiosity soon developed into a long-term ambition to participate directly in the industry rather than simply serve it from the sidelines.

The Leap Into Entrepreneurship

In 2013, Emmanuel and his business partners made a decision that would define the next chapter of their careers. They left the security of full-time employment and set out to build a business of their own.

Their first opportunity came through coal trading after identifying demand from industrial customers. A supplier trusted the young company enough to provide coal on credit terms, allowing the team to fulfil contracts despite having limited resources and capital.

“If we don’t try now, we’ll never try,” became the mindset that pushed them forward.

More than a decade later, E&T Minerals has evolved into a business involved in mining, logistics, exports, and investment projects across Southern Africa. The company exports commodities to markets including Europe and India while continuing to expand its regional footprint.

Building the Full Value Chain

One of the milestones Emmanuel is most proud of is helping create a more integrated business model that links mining operations, logistics, and export infrastructure.

What began as a trading business has gradually expanded into a broader platform that includes mining assets, rail logistics, and port access. For Emmanuel, the achievement represents the fulfilment of a vision first established more than a decade ago.

The strategy has always been centred on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains. By participating across multiple parts of the commodity value chain, the business has positioned itself to create greater resilience and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Why Partnerships Matter

Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Emmanuel has remained convinced that collaboration is one of the most important ingredients for success.

He believes many businesses struggle because founders try to do everything themselves or become reluctant to share opportunities with others. In capital-intensive sectors such as mining, partnerships often determine whether projects move beyond the planning stage and become operational.

According to Emmanuel, successful entrepreneurs must be willing to work with people who bring different skills, expertise, and financial resources to the table. Sometimes that means accepting a smaller stake in a project if it creates the conditions needed for growth.

For him, trust, transparency, and long-term relationships are just as important as access to capital.

Bringing Asure Colliery Back to Life

One of Emmanuel’s most significant recent projects has been the reopening of Asure Colliery in Mpumalanga, a coal mine that had remained inactive for eight years.

The project represents more than the restart of a mining operation. Emmanuel sees it as an opportunity to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and contribute to South Africa’s energy security while restoring a strategically important asset to production.

The leadership structure behind the project reflects values that are important to him. The board includes young professionals and a diverse group of partners who have worked together for many years, sharing both successes and setbacks along the way.

For Emmanuel, the reopening demonstrates what can happen when patience, persistence, and strong partnerships come together around a shared vision.

Investing in the Next Generation

Youth empowerment is another topic Emmanuel speaks about passionately. He believes Africa’s future depends on creating opportunities for young people and exposing them to emerging technologies from an early age. Through various initiatives, he has supported programmes focused on digital skills, drones, 3D printing, and technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

His view is straightforward: if young people are given the right tools and opportunities, they will develop solutions capable of transforming industries, communities, and economies. With Africa home to one of the world’s youngest populations, Emmanuel sees investment in education and skills development as one of the most important long-term priorities for the continent.

Lessons And Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

Asked what advice he would give aspiring entrepreneurs, Emmanuel’s answer focused less on business strategy and more on mindset. He believes resilience, patience, character, and transparency are among the most important qualities a founder can develop. Building a business is rarely a straight path, particularly in industries shaped by commodity cycles, regulation, and financing challenges.

He also encourages entrepreneurs not to pursue opportunities solely for financial gain.

Instead, he advises founders to develop a clear vision, surround themselves with the right people, and remain committed to the journey even when progress feels slow.

“Write your vision and make it plain. Run towards it,” he says.

For Emmanuel, that philosophy has helped turn a career that started on a workshop floor into a business spanning mining, logistics, commodities, and investment.

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