On Wallington’s appointment becoming effective, the company’s incumbent managing director Simon Farrell will move into the role of executive deputy chairman.

“We are very pleased John has joined us at such a crucial time in the company’s development,” Farrell said.

“ The Nucoal acquisition is now bedded down and performing to expectations and, after a challenging period at Mooiplaats getting through the lean coal section, we are now fully into bituminous thermal coal and progressing as planned up the production curve.

“Quite simply, we need someone of John's experience and skill set to oversee Coal of Africa’s next chapter as a multi asset coking and thermal coal producer.

“What is also pleasing is that John and our chief operating officer Riaan van der Merwe worked together at Anglo Coal for many years.

“For myself, I am very excited about the development as I will now be able to focus on continuing the job of building Coal of Africa into a world-class, international coal company.”

Wallington brings 30 years experience in the coal exploration and mining industry, including the position of CEO for the Anglo Coal Division of Anglo American plc in 2005-08.

In his role with Anglo, Wallington was responsible for managing the Coal Division, which had a turnover of more than $US3.5 billion per annum and employed around10,000 people, including contractors.

Since leaving Anglo Coal in 2008, Wallington has acted as a non-executive director and/or acting managing director of two smaller ASX/JSE listed exploration and development companies.

Wallington holds a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has participated in executive programs with the London Business School and Harvard Business School.

In other senior appointments, Willie Hattingh has been appointed to the position of general manager – commercial, a newly created role overseeing sales and logistics.

The company has also secured the services of Eugene O’Brien as executive – project development. O’Brien will take responsibility for the progress and delivery of the company’s Makhado Project.

Finally, Mark Coetzee has also joined Coal of Africa’s operations team as the Vele Colliery general manager.

Coal of Africa shares were down by 1c to $1.90 in early morning trade.