Harmony Gold: Chief operating officer named

Harmony Gold had appointed Alwyn Pretorius as its chief operating officer, the company said yesterday. “Alwyn is hands-on, young and energetic, and brings new ideas to our approach to production and safety,” chief executive Graham Briggs said. Pretorius had 20 years of underground, deep-level, gold mining experience in various supervisory and management positions. He had been an executive of Harmony since 2007 and held degrees in mining and industrial engineering. Tom Smith, who held the role of chief operating officer, had resigned to pursue other business interests. The shares gained 2.71 percent to R35.68 yesterday. – Sapa