Last checked at 13 May 2008 09:34
13 May 2008
Appointment of Neville Nicolau as Chief Executive Officer
Anglo Platinum is pleased to announce the appointment of Neville Nicolau as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 1 June.
Neville, who is 48 and a South African citizen, has nearly 30 years of gold mining experience, including eight years with AngloGold Ashanti, where he held a number of senior executive positions, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. Neville gained much of his operational experience over 20 years at Vaal Reefs and President Brand Gold Mines. He joined Anglo American in 2008.
Anglo Platinum Chairman, Fred Phaswana, said: "I am delighted that we have appointed Neville Nicolau to lead Anglo Platinum at this important time for the company and the industry. Neville's extensive experience in deep underground mining, gained over many years in a number of challenging technical and operational roles, positions him well to realise the company's significant ambitions as a world leading platinum producer.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Norman Mbazima and Duncan Wanblad for carrying out their interim roles with such professionalism under difficult operating circumstances. They have both made considerable contributions to the Anglo American group over many years and I wish them both every success in their new roles."
Neville Nicolau commented: "Anglo Platinum has a unique, world class portfolio of assets with exciting growth and development potential in the near, medium and long term. I am really looking forward to the challenge of leading the company and its people to achieve the goal of optimal performance, with safety at its core".
Norman Mbazima has been appointed CEO of Scaw Metals, Anglo American's international diversified steel products business, but will continue as CFO of Anglo Platinum until the search for his successor is completed, at which point he will take up his new role at Scaw. Duncan Wanblad has been appointed as CEO of Copper in the Base Metals division of Anglo American from 1 July, enabling an appropriate period of handover with Neville Nicolau.
For further information, please contact:
Mary-Jane Morifi
+27 11 373 6325
Notes to editors
Neville Nicolau, aged 48, has a Bachelor of Technology in Mining Engineering from Witwatersrand Technikon, an MBA from the University of Cape Town and has attended the Advanced Management Program at the University of Oxford's Templeton College.
Neville has spent his career with Anglo American's Gold and Uranium Division and its successor AngloGold Ashanti. Neville began his career at Vaal Reefs as a learner official in January 1979, where he spent his first year before moving to the Free State goldfields in Welkom for the next 13 years. He moved back to Vaal Reefs in 1993, reaching the position of general manager at the Great Noligwa Mine.
In February 1999, Neville became general manager of Western Deep Levels, the world's deepest mine, which formed part of AngloGold (becoming AngloGold Ashanti in 2003 following the merger of AngloGold and Ashanti Gold Mines). In 2000 and 2001, Neville and his family lived in Brazil, where he was the technical director of AngloGold's South American operations. The family returned to South Africa at the end of 2001 and Neville was appointed executive officer for the South African operations. In May 2005, he was appointed an executive director and simultaneously took up the position of chief operating officer (Africa), which he held until July 2007. Neville's appointment in August 2007 as chief operating officer saw his responsibilities widen to cover all 20 operations in 10 countries for AngloGold Ashanti -the world's 3rd largest gold producer, with an annual production of around 5.5 million ounces. Neville joined Anglo American in March 2008.
He is married to Helen and they have two sons, Stephen and Andrew. A keen rugby player in his youth, Neville continues to take an interest in the game and enjoys playing tennis and golf. He and his family are active motorcyclists, enjoy recreational boating and fly fishing.