Sibanye's newly appointed executive VP for Southern Africa, Robert van Niekerk
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE- and NYSE-listed precious metals miner Sibanye Resources has appointed Robert van Niekerk the company’s executive VP for the Southern Africa region.
Van Niekerk joined Sibanye in February 2013 as part of the executive team, fulfilling various roles within the organisation, including, most recently as CEO of the company’s platinum division.
He has been involved in the mining industry for over 30 years, operating within South Africa and internationally, serving in senior management positions at South African gold major Gold Fields and platinum major Anglo American Platinum. Before joining Sibanye, Van Niekerk was senior VP and mining head at Gold Fields.
Van Niekerk’s appointment follows Sibanye’s acquisition of US-based platinum miner Stillwater Mining Company in May, which subsequently transitioned Sibanye’s organisational structure from a divisional commodity structure to a geographical regionalised structure.
“With the significant increase in size and geographical spread of the company, this regionalised organisational structure will provide effective leadership, ensuring appropriate focus and skills allocation in well-defined geographical regions and corporate functions,” said Sibanye CEO Neal Froneman.
“Robert’s recognised leadership and mining experience, in particular in the complex South African mining environment, will ensure operational success,” he concluded.