Lonmin Plc - Lonmin Appoints A New Chief Executive

Lonmin Plc - Lonmin Appoints A New Chief Executive                              
Lonmin Plc                                                                      
("Lonmin")                                                                      
(Incorporated in England)                                                       
(Registered in the Republic of South Africa under registration number           
1969/000015/10)                                                                 
ISIN code: GB0031192486                                                         
Share code: LON                                                                 
Issuer code: LOLMI                                                              
5 February 2004                                                                 
LONMIN APPOINTS A NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE                                           
The Board of Lonmin Plc announces that Mr Bradford A Mills, who is currently the
President and Chief Executive of the Base Metals Division of BHPBilliton and a  
member of that company"s Executive Committee, will be appointed Chief Executive 
of Lonmin Plc.  The appointment will take effect not later than 1 May 2004 and  
he will be appointed a Director at that time.  A further announcement will be   
made in due course.                                                             
Commenting on the appointment, Lonmin"s Chairman Sir John Craven said:          
"This appointment marks a new chapter in the affairs of the Company.  The       
experience and knowledge that Brad Mills will bring to the Company"s affairs    
will accelerate the strategic review that the Board announced in mid-2003.  One 
of the priorities of our new Chief Executive will be to conduct a full review of
our corporate strategy.  It may well be that he and the Board will conclude that
our pure platinum plan is the best way forward for the foreseeable future.      
However, while no plans exist for any diversification at this stage, we cannot  
ignore the fact that, through the cycle, the market ascribes a higher value to  
mining activities that are diversified both in terms of sector within the       
industry and geography.  It may be that the best way forward to protect and     
enhance shareholder value - and the future dividend stream - will be by some    
measure of diversification."                                                    
The Board of Lonmin Plc further announces that Mr Edward Haslam, who has served 
as the Company"s Chief Executive for the last three years, has confirmed his    
intention to step down on reaching retirement age in April 2004.  The Board     
thanks Ed Haslam for the excellent service he has given to Lonmin during his 23 
year career.                                                                    
ENDS                                                                            
Investor enquiries:                                                             
Lonmin Plc                                                                      
Sir John Craven, Chairman + 44 (0)20 7201 6000                                  
John Robinson, Finance Director                                                 
CardewChancery                                                                  
Anthony Cardew           + 44 (0)20 7930 0777                                   
Olivia Gallimore                                                                
Notes to Editors                                                                
Brad Mills is a US citizen, with academic qualifications in both geology and    
economics from Stanford University.  He is 49 years old and has more than 25    
years" experience in the natural resources industry, having worked in a wide    
variety of capacities including strategy and corporate transformation, external 
affairs and communications, operational management (including health, safety and
environmental issues), information systems, ore body development and worldwide  
exploration. He is currently the President and Chief Executive of the Base      
Metals Division of BHPBilliton, and a member of that company"s Executive        
Committee.  The business he heads is the world"s leading base metals mining     
company, and includes the Pering zinc-lead mine in the North-West province of   
south Africa, close to the site of our own operations.  Prior to assuming his   
current role, Brad was the Chief Strategic Officer of BHP, with specific        
responsibilities for oversight of its merger with Billiton, including the       
subsequent integration of the two companies, which gave him further deep insight
into mining in South Africa.  Prior to joining BHP he was an officer of two     
successful North American public companies, Magma Copper Company and Echo Bay   
Mines.                                                                          
Date: 05/02/2004 09:01:05 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department