Wesizwe Platinum Limited has for the last eight years transcended from an exploration company to a nearly complete junior mining company. We are in the process of building a PGM mine in the bushveld complex, with a strategic equity partner (45%) in the form of a Chinese consortium comprised of the China African Development Fund and Jinchuan Group Co. Limited.
Jinchuan is a large-scale non-ferrous, metallurgical and chemical conglomerate with integrated mining, concentrating, smelting and refining assets, and also recognised as a leader in smelting and refining technologies.
The Board of Wesizwe takes this opportunity to inform Shareholders and other Stakeholders of the resignation of the Wesizwe CEO Mr. Jianke Gao from his positions as the company Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director with effect from Wednesday, 14 February 2017. Mr. Gao has been reassigned to new responsibilities in a senior executive position within the Jinchuan Group.
The Board recognizes the critical role played by Mr. Gao in the development and success of the Company to date and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours. He will officially leave the company within two months as he will oversee a smooth handover process. The Wesizwe Board is equally pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Zhimin Li as the Company’s new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director to the board of the company with effect from Wednesday, 15 February 2017.
Mr. Li holds a Bachelor degree in Mining Engineering from KunMing University of Science and Technology in China. He has over 30 years’ experience in mining and civil engineering construction obtained through working in China for the Jinchuan Group and Africa including other foreign jurisdictions where he managed multi-million Rand projects.
The Board takes this opportunity to welcome Mr. Li and wishes him well in his new role which amongst others will be prioritizing the commissioning and commencement of production at the Bakubung Platinum Mine project.
The Wesizwe Integrated Annual Report for 2016 will be released at the end of March 2017, subsequently to that, Mr. Li will be available for interactions with the members of the media. Interested members of the media can contact the corporate communications office to organize for one-on-one engagements in advance.