JSE- and TSX-listed midtier platinum group metals miner Eastern Platinum (Eastplats) has promoted former South Africa GM Hannelie Hanson to the position of group COO.
She has more than 24 years of experience in mining as a technical specialist and a strategic leader, currently heading up operations and projects in South Africa and driving proper planning, accountability, enhancement and innovation, communication and the development of people.
In addition, Hanson is also executing the expansion plans at Eastplats, including the restart of the Zandfontein underground operations.
Eastplats CEO and president Wanjin Yang says Hanson continues to be a key contributor to the company’s South African operations, including the continued work on the retreatment project, the restart of Zandfontein underground operations and the development of Eastplats’ eastern limb projects.
Hanson graduated from Stellenbosch University with a BSc (honours) in Geology in 1998. She also holds a mechanical engineering degree in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from the University of Cape Town.
Her career in mining started at Lorraine Gold Mine in the Free State and she was the custodian of mine technical services departments at two mines.
Prior to joining Eastplats in 2012, Hanson was Lonmin technical services senior manager for six years, having started there as a graduate geologist in 1999 and being promoted into projects and planning, before heading up the technical services department.
In connection with her appointment as Eastplatss COO, and subject to regulatory approval, Hanson was granted an additional 80 000 stock options that vest in 90 days. Each option – granted for a term of five years and expiring on August 1, 2027 – enables Hanson to buy one common share of Eastplats at an exercise price of C$0.23 apiece.