JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Former Gold Fields CEO Ian Cockerill has joined the board of West African iron-ore miner African Minerals as an independent director and vice-chairperson, the company announced on Monday.
Cockerill, whose appointment is in line with African Minerals’ objective of having a majority of independent directors on its board, joined the board with effect from Monday.
The mining executive has almost 40 years of experience in the industry and has served as the CEO and director of Anglo Coal between 2008 and 2009; a director and CEO of Gold Fields from 2002 to 2008, as well as the company’s COO and MD from 1999 to 2002. Prior to this, Cockerill served as an executive officer for Business Development and African International Operations at AngloGold from 1996 to 1999.
Cockerill, who holds 9 000 African Minerals shares, currently also served on the boards of Petmin, Hummingbird Resources, Orica and Ivanplats. He is also a member of Africa-focused gold producer Endeavour Mining’s strategic advisory board and is chairperson of the Leadership for Conservation in Africa.
"I am delighted to become involved in helping to guide African Minerals at this exciting time in its development and growth. The company is already the largest iron-ore exporter in West Africa, and I am looking forward to assisting the company as it enters the next stage of its growth, initially with the establishment of the Phase 2 expansion," Cockerill commented.
African Minerals executive chairperson Frank Timis welcomed Cockerill’s appointment. "His global and particularly African experience with Anglo, Gold Fields, Petmin and Ivanplats, and the advice and support that he can provide as a result will, I am sure, be of great benefit to the company, as will his strong credentials in conservation and sustainable development."
The mining firm also confirmed the appointment of Roger Liddell as senior independent director.