JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Anglo American company Kumba Iron Ore on Tuesday announced the appointment of Themba Mkhwanazi as CEO with effect from September 1, following Norman Mbazima’s decision to step down after four years to focus on his role as deputy chairperson of Anglo American South Africa.

Mbazima will remain a member of Anglo American’s Group Management Committee and will play a key role in the processes to restructure and divest Anglo American plc’s noncore assets in South Africa, including its interest in Kumba and the thermal coal businesses.

Mkhwanazi has been CEO of Anglo American’s Coal South Africa business since May 2014. Prior to that, he was Rio Tinto’s regional GM for the Americas and COO of Richards Bay Minerals.

Following the appointment of Themba Mkhwanazi as CEO of Kumba Iron Ore, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) operational processing executive head July Ndlovu has been appointed CEO of Anglo American’s coal business in South Africa.

A replacement for Ndlovu, who joined Amplats 15 years ago, has yet to be announced.

Both Ndlovu and Mkhwanazi will report to Anglo American bulk commodity CEO Seamus French from September 1.

Mkhwanazi said his energies would be focused on maintaining Kumba’s strong track and further increasing productivity to ensure the sustainability of the business for the benefit of all its stakeholders and Ndlovu expressed delight at the appointment.

Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani outlined in a release to Creamer Media’s Mining Weekly Online how Mbazima would concentrate on the way Anglo would deliver value through the restructuring and divestment of its noncore businesses in South Africa.