Anglo American is set to split its global base metals business from its strategy and business development department in a bid to gain traction in the electric vehicle revolution, the global diversified miner said Thursday.
As such, there will be reshuffle of the management structure. Duncan Wanblad will focus solely on his role as group director of strategy and business development while Ruben Fernandes, currently CEO of Anglo American in Brazil, will succeed Duncan as CEO of base metals, effective March 1, a statement issued by the miner said.
Mark Cutifani, chief executive of Anglo American, said Fernandes will work closely with the copper team in Chile, "the Quellaveco project development team and our mineral discovery team as we map out our extensive long-term growth options for this key product area that is key to enabling a cleaner, more electrified and richer world."
The CEO said, "As we progress the transformation of Anglo American's performance to unlock our full potential, it is appropriate that we allocate dedicated executive responsibility to these two important portfolios. Duncan will continue to bring rigorous leadership to our strategic thinking and analysis of business development opportunities, critical in shaping many of our longer term decisions."
Wilfred (Bill) Bruijn was appointed CEO of Anglo American in Brazil, succeeding Ruben Fernandes.
The statement said Bruijn brings more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry, most recently as CEO of Mineracao Usiminas, the iron ore mining joint venture in Brazil between Usiminas and Sumitomo. He joins Anglo American on Friday and will work with Ruben on the transition before taking up his role March 1.
