Two Lonmin executives who led a recovery in operations from the 2012 wildcat strike have resigned less than two months after the platinum producer began restoring output at its mines disrupted by a recent walkout.
Mark Munroe, executive vice-president for mining, and executive vice-president for processing Natascha Viljoen have left "to pursue new opportunities", Lonmin said.
It has appointed Johan Viljoen as chief operating officer, a post that replaces the two vacant roles.
Munroe and Viljoen were the most senior executives in charge of operations as Lonmin ramped up to full production ahead of schedule after a six-week strike in 2012 that included the deaths of 34 workers in a clash with police at its Marikana mine. Financial director Simon Scott acted as CEO at the time.
"The people who are leaving are quite highly regarded," said Michael Kavanagh, a metals and mining analyst at Noah Capital Markets. "Natascha was particularly strong in the processing division. That is easy money and adds to the bottom line if you can get the recoveries up."
Lonmin has said it aims to achieve full production capacity by the last quarter of this year, following a five-month strike by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union that ended on June 24.
Viljoen has been in "operational management and leadership roles" at Gold Fields, Anglo American and AngloGold Ashanti for 37 years.
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