Lonmin, the world’s third biggest platinum miner, on Monday said it had effected management changes aimed at streamlining the business to help it rebuild operational performance.
Lonmin is fresh from a crippling five-month-long wage strike by its workers belonging to the militant Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). It lost many production hours during the strike, costing it millions in the process.
The platinum miner has appointed Johan Viljoen, a seasoned mining engineer, to the newly-created chief operating officer (COO) position with immediate effect.
He has spent nearly four decades in operational management and leadership roles at Gold Fields, Anglo American and AngloGold Ashanti.
Most recently, Viljoen had been running Sfeer, a company he launched to mentor and develop new talent in business and the mining industry specifically.
Ben Magara, Lonmin CEO, said Viljoen brought with him an inspiring turnaround mining experience and a proven track record of delivery.[eap_ad_2]
“He will be instrumental in the execution of the operational strategy and overseeing the completion of the ramp up and will work closely with me and the executive team as we assess our medium to long term strategy and options on the productivity and profitability of our business including cost reduction. Johan has useful insights in the changing mining industry labour landscape,” Magara said.
Viljoen said he had been enthralled with Lonmin’s improved efforts in rebuilding relationships.
“I also believe that people make the difference and I’m certain that if we focus on people, results, safety and sustainability; we will deliver a better future for all our stakeholders,” Viljoen said. (VENTURES AFRICA)[eap_ad_3]