JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Mozambique-focused mineral sands producer Kenmare Resources has appointed Richards Bay Minerals mining GM Ben Baxter as its COO as from January.
He would succeed Jacob Deysel, who was stepping down at the end of this year to pursue other opportunities.
For the past 18 years, Baxter has worked in the titanium feedstock industry and has held various roles at Rio Tinto’s Richards Bay Minerals, including senior geologist, mineral separation plant manager and mining manager.
He holds a BSc in Applied Geology from the University of Leicester and an MSc in Mining Geology from the Camborne School of Mines.
“I am delighted to welcome someone of Ben's calibre and expertise to Kenmare. Ben's extensive experience in running large-scale mineral sands operations in Africa makes him particularly qualified to contribute to Kenmare's key objectives of reducing unit costs and increasing operating efficiencies.
“I also would like to thank our outgoing COO, Jacob Deysel, who has been instrumental in developing the Moma mine and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We are very grateful for his work and dedication over this time and look forward to his continuing support and input in his ongoing role as a consultant to Kenmare,” commented Kenmare MD Michael Carvill.