Richards Bay Minerals Leadership Change Announced
Richards Bay Minerals announced on 26 May that Werner Duvenhage, Managing Director of RBM and Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Africa Operations, will leave the business to pursue an opportunity outside the company.
Duvenhage is scheduled to leave the organisation on 31 July. As part of the transition, Wilhemina Ngcobo, currently Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of Acting Managing Director.
Duvenhage joined Rio Tinto in 2013 as Managing Director of Rössing Uranium Limited in Namibia, where he led the business until 2018. He later joined RBM and has since led the business through a period of operational, community and stakeholder challenges.
According to RBM, Duvenhage played a central role in stabilising operations, strengthening relationships with host communities and rebuilding trust with stakeholders. He and his team also helped establish the conditions required for the restart of the Zulti South project in March.
The Zulti South restart is significant for RBM’s longer-term operational outlook, with the project expected to extend the mine’s life to 2050 and support continued operations at the Richards Bay mineral sands business.
Rio Tinto Chief Commercial Officer Bold Baatar acknowledged Duvenhage’s contribution over 13 years with Rio Tinto, noting his role in guiding RBM through a challenging period and helping place the business on a more stable footing.