Dr Amu Manyike-Modau

Chief HSE & ESG Officer, Vedanta Zinc International

Dr. Amu Manyike-Modau is a South African mining executive and researcher recognised for her expertise in occupational health, safety, operational risk management and environmental (ESG) stewardship across the underground mining sector.

She currently serves as Chief HSE & ESG Officer at Vedanta Zinc International, where she leads HSE and ESG strategy across diverse mining commodities and operating environments. With more than seventeen years of leadership experience, she has built and directed high-performing HSE and ESG teams and value streams, embedding risk management and sustainability into the core of mining operations.

Dr. Manyike-Modau holds multiple degrees spanning Medical Sciences, Occupational Hygiene, Public Health and Business Management, alongside a PhD in Exposure Science. Her doctoral research focused on the characterisation and exposure levels of diesel engine exhaust from trackless mobile machinery in underground South African platinum mines — work that has directly informed diesel particulate matter (DPM) risk reduction practice, including diesel engine maintenance protocols, simulation dynamics software and advanced diesel particulate filtration. Her findings have helped bridge the gap between occupational health research and underground mining operational practice, and have contributed to the evidence base underpinning South Africa’s DPM legislative requirements.

She is a prominent voice in the Women in Mining movement, regularly featured for her advocacy of diversity, authentic leadership and the unique perspectives women bring to the industry. Dr. Manyike-Modau is a sought-after keynote speaker and panellist at leading technical platforms, including the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), the Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa (MVSSA) and the South African Institute of Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH), with contributions extending to international forums.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Manyike-Modau values solitude for reflection, meditation and reading. A committed churchgoer, she treasures her weekly “Sabbath Moment” — preparing her Sabbath flowers as a personal ritual to close out the week, exhale, and recharge.

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