JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – BHP Billiton South Africa chairperson Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi has been elected as the second vice-president of South Africa's Chamber of Mines (CoM).

This follows the resignation of De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) MD David Noko.

Noko is leaving DBCM at the end of March.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) welcomed Mkhwanazi's appointment.

"Mkhwanazi brings significant experience to the position and the NUM hopes to see him champion transformation in an industry that refuses to change," NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said in a statement.