Mkhwanazi will begin the role during the second quarter. He is the general manager for the Americas, responsible for delivering technical and operational improvements across Rio Tinto’s interests in the region.
At 44, Mkhwanazi has extensive experience in the resources industry, including 16 years in his native South Africa and more recently in the USA.
Themba was a Managing Director for the Huntsman Corporation in South Africa until 2007 when he was appointed chief operating officer of Richards Bay Minerals, a joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. He was then seconded to Rio Tinto in 2011, before taking the role of regional general manager for the Americas.
Chief executive of Anglo American's coal business, Seamus French, said: “Themba brings extensive international operating experience gained across his two decades in the resources industry, including 16 years in South Africa and more recently in the USA.
“Themba’s leadership and technical expertise will be instrumental in helping us deliver the full potential from our consolidated global coal business."
