Markus Schaefer is a geologist with a PhD and a senior executive in mineral exploration, with over 20 years of experience in the global mining industry. He currently serves as Discovery Manager at Anglo American, responsible for defining and implementing discovery and exploration strategies across southern Africa. Throughout his career, he has led both Greenfield and Brownfield exploration programs, from identifying geological targets to defining economically viable resources, directly contributing to the discovery and development of mineral deposits. Prior to joining Anglo American, he served as Head of Exploration at Vedanta, where he led exploration activities in Africa and was involved in significant base metal discoveries, including projects in Namibia and South Africa. Markus Schaefer holds a PhD in Geology and a Master’s degree in Mineralogy and Economic Geology, combining strong technical expertise with strategic leadership and international experience.