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De Beers Names New Head for Operations in Canada, South Africa
Thembinkosi Moses Madondo joins the diamond company after 23 years with gold miner AngloGold Ashanti.
Thembinkosi Moses Madondo is the new managing director of De Beers Group Managed Operations. He joins the company from gold miner AngloGold Ashanti, where he has spent the last 23 years.
Johannesburg, South Africa—De Beers Group has appointed a new managing director for its Managed Operations unit, the arm of the company that oversees diamond mining operations in Canada and South Africa.
Thembinkosi Moses Madondo joins De Beers from gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti, where he served as senior vice president for innovation and technology.
Madondo is a mechanical engineer who has 23 years’ experience in the mining industry.
He started at AngloGold in 1998 and has held various senior positions and executive roles during this time, including engineering manager, process manager, general manager, and senior vice president.
Prior to his current role as SVP for innovation and technology, Madondo headed AngloGold Ashanti’s South Africa operations.
De Beers parent company Anglo American once held a stake in AngloGold Ashanti but sold off its remaining shares in 2009.
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Thembinkosi Moses Madondo joins De Beers from gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti, where he served as senior vice president for innovation and technology.
Madondo is a mechanical engineer who has 23 years’ experience in the mining industry.
He started at AngloGold in 1998 and has held various senior positions and executive roles during this time, including engineering manager, process manager, general manager, and senior vice president.
Prior to his current role as SVP for innovation and technology, Madondo headed AngloGold Ashanti’s South Africa operations.
De Beers parent company Anglo American once held a stake in AngloGold Ashanti but sold off its remaining shares in 2009.
De Beers said Madondo has leadership experience and a proven track record of delivery, particularly when it comes to leading underground mining operations, and overseeing safe operations.
“He is the ideal candidate to lead our managed operations business as we continue the successful delivery of the $2 billion Venetia underground project in South Africa and maintain strong operational performance at Gahcho Kué mine in Canada,” De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver said in a press release.
“His expertise will be essential as we continue to deliver the benefits of our FutureSmart Mining program, while ensuring we remain steadfast on our ambitious Building Forever sustainability commitments.”
Madondo holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Cape Town and has completed an Advanced Management Program through Harvard Business School.
He recently served on the Board of the Minerals Council South Africa and Rand Refinery Limited.
Madondo is slated to start at De Beers on Jan. 1, succeeding Nompumelelo “Mpumi” Zikalala, who, as previously announced, is leaving De Beers to become CEO of Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore business.
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