adminJOHANNESBURG — Former Anglo American Platinum executive head of engineering and strategy Ben Magara yesterday officially stepped into his new role as CEO at platinum producer Lonmin. The Johannesburg- and London-listed platinum producer’s new leader replaces Ian Farmer, who resigned last year owing to an undisclosed but serious illness, amid violent labour unrest and police clashes that led to the death of 46 people.
Magara assumed his role at Lonmin amid a union recognition agreement dispute with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union and the looming industry-wide wage talks.
South Africa’s mining industry was also awaiting the outcome of the Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe-led collaboration on a draft framework agreement on the mining sector.
Magara, a 46-year-old Zimbabwe national, aimed to get to know the company over the next few weeks.
“… what is already clear to me is that Lonmin has excellent assets, and I look forward, with my management team, to identifying opportunities to optimise value for all our stakeholders,” he said.
Lonmin chairperson Roger Phillimore welcomed Magara, saying: “Ben is a proven leader at the highest levels and has an impressive record of delivery throughout his career. He is the right man to take Lonmin forward, building on our core operational strengths and proud safety record.”
Meanwhile, Lonmin reported that it had completed repairs to its processing division’s No 2 furnace, which had been taken offline after a fault with the roof in April.
“The first matte tap occurred on June 25 and the furnace is now running at 5 MW as the process of heating continues,” the group said in a statement.
The company’s No 1 furnace, which was shut down for a planned upgrade of the hearth and shell, had its first matte tap on June 13. — (miningweekly.com).
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