JSE-listed Harmony Gold has advised that its acquisition of AngloGold Ashanti’s remaining South African assets closed on October 1.

“We are pleased that the transaction has been completed and welcome the employees from Mponeng and Mine Waste Solutions to the Harmony family,” says Harmony CEO Peter Steenkamp.

Harmony has strengthened its South African executive operational management structure to support the company’s growth in South Africa.

The revised structure, which will continue to be headed by CEO of the South African operations Beyers Nel, is effective from October 1.

Moses Motlhageng, Zweli Ndese and Francois Janse van Rensburg will be the three regional GMs assisting Nel in managing the company’s South African operations.

Motlhageng, previously regional GM responsible for the Moab Khotsong, Kusasalethu and Kalgold mines, assumes responsibility for the Mponeng mine, while retaining responsibility for Kusasalethu and Kalgold.

He joined Harmony in 2011 and has 21 years’ operational and management experience in the diamond, platinum and ultra-deep gold sectors of the mining industry.

Ndese, previously assigned to Harmony’s business development office, rejoins the South African executive team as regional general manager responsible for the Moab Khotsong and Doornkop operations.

Ndese has 26 years’ experience in the mining industry, having held various senior positions in the gold and platinum sectors.

Janse van Rensburg will continue as regional GM for all the Free State operations – Bambanani, Unisel, Joel, Masimong, Target and Tshepong. He has 25 years’ experience in the South African hard-rock, underground gold mining environment with more than 13 years’ experience at senior management level.

He joined Harmony in 2004.

Steenkamp says these engineers and managers are well-experienced and energetic.

“Our operations have built up good momentum over the past couple of years under the leadership of Nel. Now that we are the owners of the newly acquired assets, we will be in a position to determine which synergies will enable us to unlock the most value,” Steenkamp adds.

Harmony also has mining operations in Papua New Guinea.