Deon Dreyer

1st March 2013 By: Martin Creamer - Creamer Media Editor

Full Name: Gideon Johannes Dreyer

Position: COO: chrome and vanadium at Xstrata Alloys

Main Activity of the Company: Xstrata is a diversified mining company

Date and Place of Birth: September 6, 1964, Jan Kempdorp, Northern Cape

Education: Paul Roos Gymnasium, matric, 1982; BIng (Chem), University of Stellenbosch, 1986

First Job: Research engineer, Mintek, 1989

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 400 a month

Value of the Assets under Your Control: R16-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 7 000

Management Style: Find the right people and set them free to do their job to their full potential

What is Xstrata Alloys’ Vision: To create value for our shareholders, to deliver essential products and to work efficiently, responsibly and in partnership with our stakeholders so that our presence is beneficial wherever we operate

Compliance with Mining Charter’s Critical Transformation Component: We started early with this process and are therefore doing well

View on Current State of the Mining Industry: The mining industry in South Africa is at a tipping point, and it is critical that the right policy decisions are made if it is to flourish and benefit all South Africans

Personal Best Achievement: Convincing my wife to marry me

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Peet Nienaber

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Angus Buchan

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Mick Davis

Philosophy of Life: Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Every day given to me by God

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The amount of money that is misused in South Africa instead of being used to uplift our country and its people

Hope for the Future: A South Africa where we all work together to create a better future for everyone

Favourite Reading: Christian literature

Favourite TV Programme: Stormers and Springbok rugby

Favourite Food/Drink: A proper South African braai/red wine

Favourite Music: Gospel

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Fishing

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: Three dogs and a parrot

Dislikes: People who express a strong opinion on a subject without actually bothering to find out the facts about it

Married: To Ronel

Children: Daleen, 17; Stephan,14; and Nic, 11