Mining Personality - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Glencore Announces Board Changes with Retirement of Peter Coates

March 23, 2024March 23, 2024 Constance

Global mining giant Glencore has disclosed the retirement of board member Peter Coates, effective May 29, marking the conclusion of his esteemed 30-year tenure with the company. Coates, who assumed his position on the Glencore board in 2011, notably served as the chairperson of the health and safety committee during his tenure. To fill the vacancy left by Coates, the company has appointed John Wallington as an independent non-executive director, effective June 1. Wallington brings over four decades of extensive experience in the mining sectors of South Africa, Australia, Colombia,… Read More Here

Piedmont Lithium Appoints Dawne Hickton to Board of Directors

March 21, 2024March 21, 2024 Constance

Piedmont Lithium, a North America-focused company listed on the ASX, announced the appointment of Dawne Hickton to its board of directors. Hickton, known for her leadership roles in aerospace, energy, and metals industries, brings extensive manufacturing expertise to further diversify the board’s executive guidance. President and CEO Keith Phillips praised Hickton’s transformative leadership and cross-industry experience, highlighting her track record in steering organizations through periods of growth. Piedmont aims to emerge as a major lithium hydroxide producer in North America by processing spodumene concentrate from its assets. These include the… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Mining Personality

FQM Implements Leadership Changes to Address Challenges in Zambian’s Operations

February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 Constance

First Quantum Minerals Ltd (FQM) is undergoing a significant restructuring of its top-tier personnel at its Zambian operations to address production and safety issues, according to an internal memo obtained by Reuters. The company’s decision comes amid ongoing challenges, including the recent closure order of its flagship Panama mine, which has led to a significant decline in market value since public protests against the Cobre Panama project began in October. In an email sent by chief operating officer Rudi Badenhorst to Kansanshi mine employees, it was acknowledged that the Zambian… Read More Here

Battery Metals Cobalt International Lithium Mining Personality

Mehdi Wetterwald Exits Trafigura’s Metals Unit Amid Transformations

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 Constance

Mehdi Wetterwald, previously co-head of battery metals at Trafigura Group, is leaving the trading house, marking the latest in a series of senior departures from its metals unit. Wetterwald, who had been with Trafigura since 2012, was appointed as co-head of global nickel, cobalt, and lithium trading alongside Daniel von Arx last February. Following a significant alleged nickel fraud against the company, von Arx later assumed sole leadership of the division. Sources familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that Wetterwald is departing for personal reasons. His… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Mining Personality

Accusations Surface Against Gécamines Director General

December 28, 2023December 28, 2023 Constance

The Director General of Generale des Carrières et des Mines (Gécamines), Placide Nkala Basadilua, faces allegations that go beyond “bad management” flagged by the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF). Accusations now include transforming an IGF control mission into a consultancy contract for a campaign budget and infringing upon the authority of the Private Sector Subcontracting Regulatory Authority (ARSP) by recommending subcontractors without due process. In a letter dated November 7, 2023, Jules Alingete, the Inspector General at IGF, detailed a consultancy mission to Gécamines aimed at fortifying budgetary, financial, and… Read More Here

Mining Equipment Mining Personality

Bell Equipment appoints Ashley Bell as new CEO

December 18, 2023December 18, 2023 Constance

This follows the resignation in July of the outgoing Group CEO, Leon Goosen, who leaves the company on 31 December 2023 after 16 years of service, five and a half spent as Group CEO. Ashley is well acquainted with the company having served as a non-executive director on the Board since March 2015 and has provided valuable input as a member of the Board’s Risk and Sustainability and Social, Ethics, and Transformation committees. A qualified commercial helicopter pilot, Ashley holds a degree in business management and has previously worked for… Read More Here

International Copper Mining Personality

Billionaire Mining Magnate Friedland Says $15,000-a-Ton Copper Needed to Spur New Mines

December 17, 2023December 17, 2023 Constance

Copper prices need to nearly double in order to prompt mining companies to build costly mines to meet rising demand for critical materials, according to billionaire Robert Friedland. The mining magnate said that forecasts of copper prices reaching $9,000 a metric ton next year isn’t enough to stimulate the industry to take on risks of building huge, capital intensive mines, especially in Latin America. “We probably need about $15,000 a ton, stable for a long period of time, before the industry can really gear up and build those giant mines,” Ivanhoe… Read More Here

Copper Mining in Zambia Mining Personality

New ZCCM-IH Vice Board Chair Tours Mopani Copper Mines PLC Facilities

December 7, 2023December 7, 2023 Constance

Mr. Mubita Akapelwa, the recently appointed Vice Board Chairperson of ZCCM-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), conducted an extensive tour of Mopani Copper Mines PLC facilities on Wednesday, December 6th, 2023. Accompanied by senior officials from ZCCM-IH, Mr. Akapelwa visited various key operational sites in both Kitwe and Mufulira. In Kitwe, the delegation inspected crucial areas at the Nkana Mine Site, including the South Orebody (SOB) Shaft, Synclinorium Shaft, Synclinorium Concentrator, and the Mindola Deeps project. Their visit aimed to gain firsthand insights into the operations and ongoing projects at these strategic locations.… Read More Here

International Copper Mining Personality

FQM CEO Expresses Concerns Over Sustainability if Panama Operations Cease

December 4, 2023December 4, 2023 Constance

The chief executive of Canadian miner First Quantum said he would have to look into how the company could sustain its finances in the long term, given Panama’s push to annul operations at its local copper mine, the miner’s biggest revenue source. “We have strong finances in the short and medium term, but yes, we have to see how we sustain them in the long term,” Tristan Pascall said in an interview with Panamanian newspaper La Prensa published on Friday December 1st, when asked about the risk of bankruptcy for… Read More Here

International Mining Personality

Rio Tinto Chief to join IGO board

December 1, 2023December 1, 2023 Constance

Ivan Vella, former chief executive aluminium at Rio Tinto, will join the IGO leadership team as managing director and chief executive officer. Vella stepped down from his position at Rio in June, but remained with the company throughout the transition process. However, Vella’s contract with Rio was terminated on November 15. In a statement, Rio said the termination was due to the “failing to follow guidance on acceptable management of confidential information”. IGO spoke with both Vella and Rio Tinto about the termination, and has confirmed Vella’s future role with… Read More Here