Modern Mining October 2021

Executive changes at Anglo American

The Kumba Board has appointed Nompu­ melelo ‘Mpumi’ Zikalala as CEO. Mpumi, current ly MD of De Beers Managed Operations, succeeds Themba Mkhwanazi who has been appointed CEO of Anglo American’s global Bulk Commodities busi- ness following the decision of Seamus French to leave the group after 14 years. Both appointments will take effect on January 1, 2022. Commenting on Mpumi’s appointment, Terence Goodlace, chairman of Kumba, says: “I am delighted that the Kumba Board has appointed Mpumi Zikalala as the new CEO of Kumba. Mpumi will join the Kumba Board as an executive director and brings over 20 years of mining experience, hav- ing started her career as a Chemical Engineering bursar at Anglo American and having held a number of senior operational and commercial leadership roles at De Beers. Her appointment is another demon- stration of our commitment as a business towards nurturing and supporting the suc- cess of women. We look forward to her leadership in advancing the strategic and operational aspirations of Kumba.” Mpumi Zikalala, says of her appoint- ment: “It is a privilege to be appointed as CEO of Kumba. My focus will be to build on Kumba’s strong safety and operational performance track record, strengthening strategic partnerships and unlocking fur- ther value from the business. I look forward to joining Kumba’s world class team and contributing to the next phase of Kumba’s

journey to be the most valued company in the eyes of our stakeholders.” Paying tribute to Seamus and Themba’s leadership, Goodlace says: “On behalf of the Kumba Board, we thank Seamus French for his insightful and valuable contributions and wish him all of the very best in his future. We congratulate Themba Mkhwanazi and thank him for his enormous contribution to Kumba over the last five years. Through his leadership of excellence and collaboration with stakeholders, Themba successfully led the development and implementation of the Tswelelopele strategy that has transformed the business and delivered significant value to our wide range of stakeholders, not least our host communities. Themba will remain on the Kumba Board as a non-executive director in his new role.” Themba Mkhwanazi has been appointed CEO of Anglo American’s global Bulk Commodities business.

Nompumelelo ‘Mpumi’ Zikalala has been appointed CEO of Kumba. Themba Mkhwanazi says: “I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute mean- ingfully to Kumba over the last five years and would like to thank each of Kumba’s employees, contractors and members of the executive team for their commitment to Kumba’s success. My appreciation also extends to the Kumba Board for their sup- port and guidance. I look forward to my new role and collaborating with partners and stakeholders across Anglo American’s broader Bulk Commodities businesses. My focus will continue to be on safe, respon- sible production and playing our role in our drive towards cleaner steelmaking using our premium quality iron ore and met coal and working with partners on new steel- making technologies.” 

October 2021  MODERN MINING  7