Deshnee Naidoo

Former CEO, Vale Base Metals

Deshnee is a South African engineer with a 27-year track record in mining. Her diverse experience spans corporate and operational levels, various disciplines, and multiple commodities and geographies.

Deshnee joined Vale at the beginning of January 2021 in the role of CFO and Head of BD for Vale Base Metals (VBM). She was named Executive Vice President of VBM in December 2021 and worked collaboratively across the business to accelerate its turnaround, enhancing operational discipline post COVD-19, while advancing key projects to accelerate the growth of the business. She was named CEO of VBM in 2023 and led the successful carve-out of VBM from Vale SA. She stepped down as CEO in March 2024. 

Prior to joining Vale SA, Deshnee was the CEO of the Zinc International business at Vedanta Resources and led the value potential unlock of the previous Anglo Zinc assets that Vedanta acquired in 2012, including the construction of the iconic 46-year Gamsberg Project. She also served as CEO of Africa Base Metals during her tenure at Vedanta. Deshnee spent 16 years at Anglo American including Deputy Head of the CEO’s office and CFO for Thermal Coal business unit.

Deshnee’s a three-time South Africa Mining Rainmaker, she was recognised among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining in 2018, and she has served as a Board Member of the South Africa Minerals Council. Committed to creating more diverse and inclusive organisations, Deshnee led the Women in Mining initiative for the Minerals Council to achieve gender equality, with a goal of 30% women by 2025.