JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Andile Sangqu, former Xstrata and current Impala Platinum executive and new VP of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, has sprung to further prominence as the new executive head of Anglo American South Africa.

Anglo American plc also announced on Thursday that Kumba Iron Ore CEO Norman Mbazima would assume the role of deputy chairperson of Anglo American South Africa while still retaining the leadership of Kumba, and global Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani would take over from the retiring Michael Spicer as Anglo American South Africa chairperson from June 1.

Sangqu, who has been brought into the newly established role of executive head of Anglo American South Africa, will work with the South Africa-based businesses to help deliver the group’s strategy in the region.

Reporting to Mbazima, Sangqu will also be expected to provide leadership and coordination to the group’s stakeholder relations initiatives and facilitate regional alignment with the group’s central functions.

In order to focus on her role as CEO of Business Unity South Africa, Khanyisile Kweyama has also resigned as part of the changes Cutifani described as demonstrating Anglo American’s commitment to playing a leading role in ongoing business sector development in South Africa.

As long-serving executive Harry Calver is also retiring, more announcements on the composition of the local board are expected in due course.