De Beers Merges South Africa, Canada Assets

RAPAPORT... De Beers will combine its mining ventures in South Africaand Canada to streamline operational management and increase sustainability, itsaid Monday. The new business, De Beers Group Managed Operations, willoversee the Venetia and Gahcho Ku?(C) mines, as well as the De Beers Marineproject. The consolidation comes after the closure of the Snap Lake andVoorspoed deposits, as well as the impending termination of the Victor mine inMay. Nompumelelo (Mpumi) Zikalala, deputy CEO of De BeersConsolidated Mines, the company's South African business, will become managing director for the new venture, and willlead the restructuring, the company said. Allan Rodel will be head ofoperations. De Beers will employ a management group, based in Johannesburg, torun operations, with a support team based in Canada. "We are delighted to appoint Mpumi into this new and vitallyimportant position to focus on growing a profitable and sustainable business inboth South Africa and Canada," said De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver. "Our businessesin these countries face very different challenges and require a leader ofMpumi's skill, vision and experience to maximize their full potential." In her new role, Zikalala will replace De Beers ConsolidatedMines CEO Phillip Barton, who has been with the miner for more than 30 years,and Kim Truter, CEO of De Beers Canada, who will both leave the company. Image: Nompumelelo (Mpumi) Zikalala. (De Beers)