African Minerals’ Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Keith Calder as the CEO of the company. Over the last 12 months, Keith has successfully overseen the completion of numerous projects including the construction of the large 1B wet process facility, ramp up of production, completion of the second large wagon dumper, and the installation of a new lay bye berth. All of these have allowed the company to achieve its stated target of reaching a run-rate of 20Mtpa, as announced in June 2013. The company thanked him for his contribution to its transformation over the last twelve months.
The Board also announced the appointment of Bernard Pryor, currently a director of the company, as executive director and CEO, effective immediately. Pryor is currently a non-executive independent director of AML, having joined the Board in 2011. Prior to this position, he was the CEO of Q Resources. Between 2006 and 2010, he held senior executive positions within Anglo American as head of business development, and CEO of Anglo Ferrous Brazil, where he oversaw the development of the 6Mtpa Amapa iron ore mine. From 2000 to 2006, he was the director and COO of Adastra Minerals, developing the Kolwezi tailings deposit in DRC, immediately prior to its takeover by First Quantum Minerals.
The company also appointed Alan Watling as special advisor to the chairman and the Board regarding infrastructure. Alan’s role will be help to optimise the existing operational rail and port infrastructure, and its future expanded capacity.