Copper miner Sandfire Resources has appointed Brendan Harris as its new CEO and MD, following the shock exit of founding CEO Karl Simich at the end of September.
Harris, an exploration geologist, has held senior executive roles at diversified miners BHP and South32, has been a member of South32’s executive management team since its demerger from BHP in 2015 and played a key role in the company’s establishment as its inaugural CFO.
Most recently, he was chief human resources and commercial officer at South32, with responsibility for global commodity marketing, procurement and human resources. He also previously served as BHP’s global head of investor relations and, prior to joining BHP in 2010, held various roles in investment banking, including as executive director at Macquarie Securities, where he led the Metals & Mining Research team.
“The board is delighted to have secured a leading industry executive of Harris’ calibre and experience in an extremely competitive market for talent,” said Sandfire nonexecutive chairperson John Richards.