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Directorate Change - Lonmin Plc Appoints Ben Magara as Chief Executive Officer
Lonmin Plc (Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registered in the Republic of South Africa under registration number 1969/000015/10)
JSE code: LON
Issuer Code: LOLMI
ISIN: GB0031192486 ("Lonmin")
REGULATORY RELEASE
Directorate Change - Lonmin Plc Appoints Ben Magara as Chief Executive Officer
Tuesday 2 April 2013
The Board of Lonmin Plc (“Lonmin” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the
appointment of Ben Magara as its new Chief Executive Officer and as a Director with effect
from 1 July 2013.
Ben Magara is currently the Executive Head of Engineering and Capital Projects at Anglo
American Platinum Limited (Anglo Platinum). Before taking up his current role, Ben was the
Chief Executive Officer of Anglo Coal South Africa and responsible for Anglo American’s total
coal business in South Africa with revenues of around US$2 billion. At Anglo Platinum, Ben’s
tenure in all projects has been fatality free and amongst others the Unki Platinum Mine
Project ramped up to steady state one year ahead of schedule.
Ben has a 22 year distinguished career at the leading edge of the mining industry which has
included a number of positions within the Anglo American Group. During his mining career
he has shown an exceptional operational ability spanning mining supervision, management
and leadership. Ben has also demonstrated an ability to work proactively and extensively
with unions, government, and communities. He has a degree in Mining Engineering, has
been a director of Anglo American South Africa since 2006, and is a non-executive director
of Foskor.
Ben Magara is a Zimbabwean national, married with two children, and has been resident in
South Africa for the last 19 years.
Lonmin’s Chairman, Roger Phillimore said “I am delighted to be able to announce the
appointment of Ben Magara to lead Lonmin. The Company is performing well and our safety
record is better than it has ever been. Our renewal plan is on track and progress is being
made towards the better definition and achievement of our initiatives to improve both the
working and living environment of all Lonmin employees for the benefit of all stakeholders
and shareholders. The Board is confident that Ben’s extensive experience in working in
South Africa and the mining community, his relationships and his demonstrated success in
proactive relationship building with all stakeholders will drive Lonmin forward.”
Commenting on his appointment, Ben Magara said: “Lonmin is a company with excellent
assets. I am excited at the prospect of leading team Lonmin and contributing to making a
positive difference. The success of the mining industry is vital to the future of South Africa
and as the Lonmin team we will drive excellence and build value with and for all our
stakeholders.”
Simon Scott who has been Acting CEO since August 2012 will resume his role as Chief
Financial Officer when Ben Magara joins. Roger Phillimore stated: “Simon rose magnificently
to a huge challenge following Ian Farmer’s illness and we are deeply grateful to him for his
unswerving commitment and his effective leadership in a difficult time.”
In accordance with the Listing Rules, Lonmin confirms that there are no additional matters
relating that would require disclosure under LR 9.6.13 R (1) to (6). Mr Magara has no
beneficial interests in Lonmin ordinary shares of $1 each.
ENQUIRIES
Investors / Analysts:
Lonmin
Tanya Chikanza (Head of Investor Relations) +27 11 218 8358 /
+44 20 7201 6007
Ruli Diseko (Investor Relations Manager) +27 11 218 8300
Media:
Cardew Group
Anthony Cardew / Alexandra Stoneham +44 20 7930 0777
Sue Vey +27 72 644 9777
Brunswick - Johannesburg
Itumeleng Mahabane +27 11 502 7400 /
+27 83 284 6774
Sponsor:
J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Photographs of Ben Magara are available from Sue Vey
Notes to editors
Lonmin, which is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange, is one of the world's largest primary producers of PGMs. These metals are
essential for many industrial applications, especially catalytic converters for internal
combustion engine emissions, as well as their widespread use in jewellery.
Lonmin's operations are situated in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, where nearly 80%
of known global PGM resources are found.
The Company creates value for shareholders through mining, refining and marketing PGMs
and has a vertically integrated operational structure - from mine to market. Lonmin's mining
operations extract ore from which the Process Division produces refined PGMs for delivery
to customers. Underpinning the operations is the Shared Services function which provides
high quality levels of support and infrastructure across the operations.
For further information please visit our website: http://www.lonmin.com
About Ben Magara
Ben Magara is currently the Executive Head of Engineering and Capital Projects at Anglo
American Platinum Limited where he has closely engaged with the government and the
communities. Prior to his current role, Ben was the Chief Executive Officer of Anglo Coal
South Africa, responsible for Anglo American’s total coal business in South Africa and
revenues of around US$2 billion. Ben is well known in the mining industry for his successful
innovative business initiatives covering safety, HIV and AIDS as well as organisational culture
change. He led the creation of Anglo Inyosi Coal, a Black Economic Empowerment company,
resulting in the implementation of four new mines, including Isibonelo, Mafube, Zibulo and
New Largo Collieries.
He has 22 years’ experience in the mining industry, having held various positions where he
has demonstrated an exceptional operational track record as well as successfully engaged
and worked with governments and local communities. He has a Mining Engineering degree
from the University of Zimbabwe and an Accelerated Development Program from London
Business School. His career in mining has spanned mining supervision, management and
leadership experience and he rose from the rock-face to CEO by 2006. His broad experience
includes life of mine planning, production, general management, project management,
strategy and business development, restructuring, customer relations, exploration, finance,
mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and human resources. In addition, Ben
Magara has a successful record in community engagement, government relations, conflict
resolution, organisational culture and gaining support from a wide range of stakeholders.
Ben has been a director of Anglo American South Africa since 2006, is a non-executive
director of Foskor and was Chairman of Richards Bay Coal Terminal, Africa’s largest coal
export facility. He is also a Trustee of Unisa (University of South Africa, Africa’s biggest long
distance education Institution) and is a Chairman of the Board of Trustees at St Peters
School Foundation.
Ben Magara is a Zimbabwean national, married with 2 children, and has been permanently
resident in South Africa for the last 19 years.
Awards
- CEO of business awarded the Global Business Coalition 2009 Gold Award for its
Workplace HIV and AIDS Programme
- CEO of a Company awarded the Nedbank Green awards for the innovative water
treatment plant
- CEO of South Africa’s 2007 Deloitte’s “4th Best Company to Work For”
- South African Colliery Managers Association (SACMA) 2003 Gold Award for Best
Paper: “Unleashing the Human Potential . . . People Make the Difference”
- 2003 General Manager of a mine winning the Anglo American Global CEO’s 2002
Gold Safety Award
- 2003 Best Mine Manager of the year – NOSA (South Africa chapter)
- 1990 Best Final Year Mining Engineering student, University of Zimbabwe
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