Norilsk Nickel, the world’s largest nickel and palladium miner, has appointed Peter Breese as chief executive of its new international mining and metallurgical division, the company said last week.
Breese was previously chief operating officer of LionOre Mining International Ltd, which Norilsk acquired this year for 6.8 billion Canadian dollars ($6.48 billion) after a bidding battle with Xstrata plc.
He has over 20 years of experience in the mining industry in southern Africa, having previously held executive and director positions with Zimasco, Mimosa Mining Co and Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.
Norilsk also announced several senior appointments to its international division, which employs about 3,500 people at mining and refining operations in Finland, Australia, Botswana and South Africa.
Gerhard Potgieter was appointed managing director of Norilsk’s African operations, which include 85 percent of the Tati Nickel Mining Co and Botswana Metal Refinery and a 50 percent share in a joint venture with African Rainbow Minerals Ltd at the Nkomati nickel mine in South Africa.
Potgieter was previously executive for operations at African Rainbow Minerals.
Ian Purdy, finance and strategy director for LionOre Australia, was appointed managing director of Norilsk Nickel Australia, responsible for the Lake Johnston, Black Swan and Waterloo nickel operations, the Honeymoon Well project and the Cawse and Avalon laterite operations.
Antti Aaltonen continues as managing director for the company’s operations in Finland, including the Harjavalta refinery and 7.4 percent of Talvivaara Mining Co.
Gary Johnson, managing director of LionOre technology, was appointed managing director of Norilsk Process Technology.
