JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – David Abery has resigned as FD of Petra Diamonds to pursue other opportunities.
Current finance manager for operations Jacques Breytenbach would succeed Abery as CFO. He is a chartered accountant and a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Abery would be available to Petra on an advisory basis for at least six months as part of the succession process.
“David has been instrumental to the growth of Petra over the years, leading a number of strategic transactions and financings. His demonstration of leadership and contribution to long-term value creation have served the company and shareholders well,” chairperson Adonis Pouroulis said in a statement on Tuesday.
Petra also appointed a new COO, Koos Visser, who had until now been group operations manager.
Pouroulis noted that the appointment of Breytenbach and Visser in the roles of CFO and COO were integral to the daily management of the company and its operations, as well as to the delivery of its medium- to long-term strategy.
“Their extensive knowledge of the company, our operations and management of our capital investment programmes, as well as of the diamond mining industry and our local operating environments in South Africa and Tanzania, will continue to serve the company well,” he added.