Anglo American subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore has appointed Mpumi Zikalala as CEO.

Zikalala, currently MD of De Beers Managed Operations, succeeds Themba Mkhwanazi, who has been appointed CEO of Anglo’s global Bulk Commodities business, following Seamus French’s departure from the group after 14 years.

Both appointments take effect on January 1.

Zikalala’s successor at De Beers Managed Operations will be confirmed in due course. She will remain in her current role until year-end, helping to ensure a seamless transition.

Further, Ruben Fernandes, Anglo American Base Metals CEO, will assume responsibility for the iron-ore and nickel operations in Brazil.

As planned, the Quellaveco copper operation, in Peru, will move to the Base Metals portfolio once it is commissioned.

Anglo says this streamlining of responsibilities will allow Fernandes to maximise efficiencies across all of its operations in South America, alongside his global strategic responsibilities for base metals.

“I am delighted that the Kumba board has appointed Mpumi Zikalala as the new CEO of Kumba. Mpumi will join the Kumba board as an executive director and brings over 20 years of mining experience, having started her career as a chemical engineering bursar at Anglo American and having held a number of senior operational and commercial leadership roles at De Beers.

“Her appointment is another demonstration of our commitment as a business towards nurturing and supporting the success of women. We look forward to her leadership in advancing the strategic and operational aspirations of Kumba,” Kumba chairperson Terence Goodlace says.

“It is a privilege to be appointed CEO of Kumba. My focus will be to build on Kumba’s strong safety and operational performance track record, strengthening strategic partnerships and unlocking further value from the business,” Zikalala indicates.

Goodlace says that Mkhwanazi successfully led the development and implementation of the Tswelelopele strategy, which has transformed the business and delivered significant value to its wide range of stakeholders.

Mkhwanazi will remain on the Kumba board as a nonexecutive director.