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Kloppers appointed Billiton boss Posted: Thu, 31 May 2007 [miningmx.com] -- MARIUS Kloppers, the 44-year old South African chemical engineer, has been appointed CEO of BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company. Kloppers succeeds Chip Goodyear from October 1, the group said in a statement earlier today (May 31). "This is an extraordinary opportunity," said Kloppers who will be based in BHP Billiton's London headquarters. Kloppers is currently group president non-ferrous materials and an executive director of BHP Billiton. Market speculation suggested either Kloppers or BHP Billiton's chief financial officer, Chris Lynch, would be selected for the position. It's also understood the group sought potential candidates from outside. Kloppers will be the third new CEO of a major mining corporation this year after Cynthia Carroll and Tom Albanese assumed the top positions at Anglo American and Rio Tinto respectively earlier this year. Kloppers takes up his post at an interesting time when the market is aflood with speculation of major merger and acquisition activity. In the last two months alone, BHP Billiton has been connected with a bid for Rio Tinto and has, in turn, been the target of a $200bn private equity bid, according to unconfirmed speculation. "We are in a time of considerable change in our industry with the emergence of new markets and sources of supply," said Don Argus, chairman of BHP Billiton's board. Speaking to Miningmx, Goodyear said he would step down from the group as it needed fresh legs. "I'm in favour of change. A lot of customers have said why are you leaving now. But now is a good time to hand the baton on." Goodyear, who has been linked with a position at Alcoa and in the private equity field, said he would rest in the short-term. "I have a background in geophysics and finance. Maybe I'll do something with that," he said. Bronwyn Wilkinson, spokesperson for BHP Billiton, said Kloppers would not yet be commenting on his appointment. Speaking in February, however, Kloppers said he was positive on the future for BHP Billiton in Africa. “About half of BHP Billiton’s exploration budget is now in Africa. I think we may be the largest single landowner in the (DRC) Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said. Click Here to subscribe to our daily newsletter
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