6 Jun 2011 07:00
6 June 2011
International Ferro Metals Limited
("IFL" or the "Company")
Directorate Change:
Christiaan Jordaan Appointed Chief Executive Officer
International Ferro Metals today announces the appointment of Christiaan Jordaan as Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1st August 2011. He succeeds David Kovarsky who has led the company since 2008.
Mr Jordaan's appointment is the result of the succession process launched by the Board earlier this year in anticipation of the expiry of Mr Kovarsky's 4 year contract in January 2012. Mr Jordaan's high quality experience and knowledge of the ferrochrome industry mean he is the ideal candidate to lead IFL and Mr Kovarsky has agreed to relinquish his role as CEO from 1st August. Mr Kovarsky will remain with the Company for the month of August to ensure a smooth transition.
Mr Jordaan (42), a mechanical engineer, joins IFL from BHP Billiton, where he was General Manager of its Metalloys division, one of the largest producers of manganese alloys in the world since 2008. Based in South Africa, Metalloys operates an eight submerged arc furnace ferromanganese and silicomanganese plant including a pelletising plant, metal recovery plant, briquetting plant and electrical power co-generation plant. His role encompassed all operations, human resources, finance and administration, safety, health, environment and community, capital investment and projects.
Prior to managing Metalloys, Mr Jordaan was General Manager of Kermas' Tubatse Chrome plant (previously BHP Billiton's Samancor Chrome) until 2007. His role included the management of a six submerged arc furnaces ferrochrome plant including pelletising, sintering and chrome recovery producing 400,000 tonnes per annum of ferrocrome. Mr Jordaan worked at Samancor Chrome for eight years.
Mr Jordaan holds a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as a Masters Degree in Business in Business Administration.
Tony Grey, Chairman, said: "We are delighted to welcome Chris to lead IFL in the next stage of our development. Chris brings tremendous ferrochrome and smelting credentials as well as management experience and high enthusiasm that will prove invaluable as we move ahead. The Board would like to thank David Kovarsky for his contribution as CEO for the past three and a half years, during which he steered the company through exceptionally difficult market conditions, and to wish him well for the future."
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For further information please visit www.ifml.com or contact:
International Ferro Metals Limited David Kovarsky, Chief Executive Officer Jannie Muller, Chief Financial Officer |
+27 (0) 82 650 1192 +27 (0) 82 785 1364 |
Brunswick Group Carole Cable / Fiona Micallef-Eynaud | +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 |
Numis Securities Limited John Harrison / James Black | +44 (0) 20 7260 1000 |
About International Ferro Metals:
International Ferro Metals produces ferrochrome, the essential ingredient in stainless steel, from its integrated chromite mine and ferrochrome processing operations in South Africa. International Ferro Metals is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol IFL.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains certain forward looking statements which by nature, contain risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and depend on circumstances that occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements.