Johannesburg – Impala Platinum (Implats) has appointed Nicolaas (Nico) Johannes Muller, from Gold Fields, as chief executive officer and an executive director.
This is with effect from April 3 next year, it aid on a statement on Wednesday.
The company notes Muller has a BSc Mining Engineering degree and has had a 27-year mining career that has exposed him to multiple commodities, including platinum.
"He has a proven track record as a successful operator, a highly rated leader and a strategic thinker. This mix of technical know-how and a strategic approach will serve Implats and all its stakeholders very well. The board of Implats welcomes Nico to Implats and looks forward to working with him," it says.
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In a separate announcement, Gold Fields Limited said Muller had resigned as EVP of its South African operations to join Implats.
"Since joining Gold Fields in October 2014, Nico has played an important role in fixing the base at South Deep and repositioning the mine for a sustainable future. In doing so, Nico has recruited a strong leadership team which will be able take South Deep forward." The search for a replacement has commenced, it says. Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland says: “We would like to thank Nico for reenergising the mine and getting it to break even. We wish him well in his new role at Impala.”In May, Terence Goodlace stepped down from the platinum miner, which expects to record a plummet in full year profit.BUSINESS REPORT
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