Jurie Wessels, founder and executive chairperson of Vanadium Resources
Full Name: Jurie Hendrik Wessels
Position and Company Name: Founder and executive chairperson of Vanadium Resources
Main Activity of the Company: Development of the Steelpoortdrift mine and concentrator and the Tweefontein salt roast leach plant
Date and Place of Birth: April 12, 1967, Johannesburg
Education: BA (economics and political science), LLB and higher diploma in taxation
First Job: Hardware assistant at Action Hardware, in Randburg, when I was 15 years old
Size of First Pay Packet: I am not sure, but it was probably R7 a day
Career Path to Date: It’s been a diverse path. After my studies, I became a lawyer. That led me to become an explorer, that matured into a developer and a miner, and that rewarded me just enough to also be a farmer
Value of Assets under Your Control: R470-million (VR8 and Arcadia Minerals)
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 20 people (excluding consultants and contractors)
Management Style:
Corporate and operational decisions are made by a core executive team. I embrace a leadership approach that empowers others to perform at their best. I embrace leadership values that require me to make personal sacrifices when needed for the sake of the business, to take the most responsibility and work the hardest
Personal Best Achievement: Listing four exploration companies since 2004 on three international exchanges, which led to five mines (so far), and arranging the investment by Raubex Group into Bauba, thereby saving Bauba from jeopardy
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, children and parents
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My late father
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: John the Apostle, because he spent a lot of time with the most enigmatic person the world has ever seen
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk, because he is not afraid to think big and to fail, and because he achieved more in one lifetime than what other business leaders could if they had a hundred lifetimes
Philosophy of Life: Make sure the truth always sits comfortably beside you
Biggest Ever Opportunity: To have studied at university
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The greed of people who should know better
Hope for the Future:
That South Africans will soon judge other people solely by the content of their character rather than their immutable characteristics
Favourite Reading: The Bible
Favourite TV Programme: What’s That?
Favourite Food/Drink: Good coffee
Favourite Music: Anything that has a beautiful melody
Favourite Sport: Archery
Hobbies: Farming
Car: Land Cruiser V8 79
Pets: West-Highland White Terriers (Sofie and Shona) and an African Grey (Stoffel)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty, indolence and vanity
Married: To Tertia. When I saw her the first time, I knew she would become my wife. It took her about 2 months to come to the same realisation! We’ve been together since 1989. Our best moments are when we spend time with our children
Children: Daneel, 24; Lien, 21; Leonore, 17
Clubs: Cape Mining Club