Biography

Deshnee is a South African Engineer with a 27-year track record in global mining. Her experience is diverse i.e. spanning corporate and operational levels, in various disciplines and across 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 ($1.1bn Salobo III, $2.7bn Voisey Bay Mine Ext and c.$9bn of Ni projects in Indonesia) to sustain production and accelerate the growth of the business. She was named CEO of VBM in 2023 and led the successful carve-out of VBM ($26bn valuation) from Vale SA and finalized Vale’s divestment (per Indonesia regulations) of PT Vale Indonesia. 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 American Zinc assets that Vedanta acquired in 2012, including the construction of the iconic 46-year Gamsberg Project (4Mtpa ROM, 250ktpa Zn MiC). She also served as CEO of Africa Base Metals during her tenure at Vedanta. Deshnee spent 16 years at Anglo American including Head of the CEO’s office (2009-2011) and CFO for Thermal Coal business unit from 2011 to 2014.  Deshnee’s a three-time South Africa Mining Rainmaker, she was recognized among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining in 2018, and has served on various Boards including the South African Minerals Council, where she led the industry Women in Mining initiative in 2020.