Kumba Iron Ore announces key board changes as Themba Mkhwanazi steps down

Kumba Iron Ore has announced that Themba Mkhwanazi will step down as a non-executive director of the board and Anglo American's representative effective 30 June 2025.

Mkhwanazi has been an integral figure on the Kumba board and a member of both the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee and the Strategy and Investment Committee for the past eight years.

The announcement comes as Kumba also heralds the appointment of Ruben Fernandes as a new non-executive director of the board, effective from 1 July 2025.

Fernandes, currently the chief operating officer of Anglo American, will not only take Mkhwanazi's seat at the board table but will also participate as a member of the Social, Ethics and Transformation Committee, the Safety, Health and Sustainable Development Committee, and the Strategy and Investment Committee.

Fernandes has been with the Anglo American group since 2012 and has held various senior executive roles demonstrating a strong track record in the mining sector.

Most recently, he served as the regional director – Americas as of 2023 after previously directing Anglo American’s base metals businesses. His extensive experience in the industry is further highlighted by prior roles, including leadership positions at Votorantim Metals in Brazil, and chief operations officer at Vale Fertilizers.

A metallurgical engineer by training, Fernandes earned his degree from the Federal University of Minas Gerais and furthered his education with an MBA from the University of São Paulo (USP) and Ibmec. He has also broadened his academic prowess with specialisations from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and IMD in Switzerland.

As Anglo American positions itself for future growth and sustainability, the incoming leadership changes reflect the company’s commitment to fostering experienced and skilled governance at the highest level, paving the way for innovative strategies and resilient operational practices.

Terence Goodlace, chairperson of Kumba, expressed his gratitude toward Mkhwanazi for his dedication.

“I sincerely thank Themba for his contribution and dedication to the Board over the last eight years. I also welcome Ruben to the board. We look forward to benefitting from his expertise and broader experience as we continue to build our resilience and competitive position,” Goodlace said.

As Anglo American positions itself for future growth and sustainability, the incoming leadership changes reflect the company’s commitment to fostering experienced and skilled governance at the highest level, paving the way for innovative strategies and resilient operational practices.

BUSINESS REPORT