Yancoal Australia has named Sharif Burra as CEO, effective 8 September 2025. He succeeds Ning Yue, bringing nearly three decades of mining experience.

With more than ten years at Yancoal, he has led functions spanning operations, procurement, health, safety, and sustainability. Starting from the ground level of the industry, he has steadily built a reputation as a leader who understands both the technical and human sides of mining.

Burra has built his reputation on a strong commitment to safety and sustainability, qualities that colleagues say define his leadership. Those who have worked alongside him describe someone who can manage the toughest operational pressures while still keeping people at the centre of every decision. With issues like fatigue, wellbeing, and community impact defining the sector, his leadership signals a shift towards running the business with equal measures of discipline and empathy.

For Yancoal, this transition is more than a routine succession. Australia’s resources sector is closely tied to Asia’s energy needs and to global expectations of cleaner, more responsible operations. Burra now carries the responsibility of steering growth while ensuring the company retains its social licence and remains an employer of choice in an increasingly digital and sustainability-driven world.

What sets Burra apart is the journey he has taken within Yancoal. Having spent years inside the organisation—listening, learning, and leading from within—he brings with him the trust of the workforce and a clear sense of the culture that drives the company. In handing him the reins, Yancoal is betting on a leader who understands its people as well as its business.