Freyberg will remain in Sydney to head up the merged company's coal operations, while Xstrata’s Brisbane office will be closed leading to expected retrenchments as the company follows a strategy of “brownfields” development instead of new capital intensive greenfields projects.

Freyberg has worked in the international coal mining industry for over 30 years.

He began his career in 1978 as a trainee official with Anglo American Corporation in South Africa, where he completed his degree in mining engineering.

Freyberg embarked on his international career in 1991 including appointments with Kaltim Prima Coal in Indonesia, Hamersley Iron in Perth, Copelmi Mineralo in Brazil; Carbones del Cerrejan in Colombia and Xstrata Coal in South Africa.

Following his role as chief operating officer, Xstrata Coal South Africa, Freyberg was appointed director of operations in 2006 and relocated to the company’s headquarters in Sydney, where he oversaw the continued expansion of global operations.

Freyberg was appointed chief executive of Xstrata Coal in 2008.

He is a board member of the Minerals Council of Australia, a director of the Australian Coal Association and a director of the World Coal Association.

In March, Xstrata Coal indicated it would cut another 100 positions as it consolidates its New South Wales and Queensland operating units in response to the tougher operating environment for coal.

The move followed the announcement late last year that it would be retrenching 600 contractors and employees as part of a restructure of its Australian coal business because of the high dollar and low coal prices.

The new Australia-wide operations will leverage off the existing structure and systems in place in NSW and will be headed up by current chief operating officer Ian Cribb.

“As a result of this decision, Xstrata Coal’s divisional head office in Brisbane will close,” Xstrata said in a statement.

“In parallel to this, Xstrata Coal is taking the opportunity to review corporate services delivered to the divisions out of its Sydney office.

“These initiatives will lead to a reduction of Xstrata Coal’s office-based roles in Australia.”

In February, Xstrata indicated it would follow the lead of Peabody Energy by announcing it would be converting its Collinsville coal mine in Queensland from a contractor to owner-operator model.

One of Freyberg’s major decisions this year will be whether the company should proceed with the massive Wandoan project in Queensland’s Surat Basin.