Orion Minerals Ltd has appointed mining executives Anthony Lennox and Patience Mpofu as non-executive directors with the company expected to benefit from their years of African experience.
Lennox has 40 years of resource sector experience in operations, project development and corporate management including 35 years of leading people and 20 years of board experience.
He is an experienced mining engineer with extensive underground and open cut experience in both coal and base metals, including in Africa.
Mpofu is an award-winning mining executive with more than 15 years of experience of cross-functional resources industry experience.
She has strong ESG leadership experience across a broad range of roles including devising global commercial strategies to create value.
“Further strengthened board”
Orion’s chairman Denis Waddell said: “We are very pleased to have further strengthened the Orion board with the appointment of Tony and Patience, given their extensive skill sets including technical, operational, commercial, ESG and community/stakeholder expertise, particularly as Orion transitions to a producer of future-facing metals.”
40 years in resources
Lennox’s career includes managing director and CEO of Palabora Mining Company Ltd from 2010 - 2013, which was owned by Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) Copper, South Africa.
Palabora is one of South Africa’s oldest and most revered large mining operations having been in operation since 1956 and was renowned as a highly efficient, large-scale underground mechanised mining operation under Lennox’s stewardship.
With more than 10 years in Africa at managing director and chairman levels he brings skills in governance, strategy development and execution in complex and culturally diverse arenas.
This, when added to his technical and leadership skills, has resulted in commercial and sustainable business solutions under his watch.
Lennox’s career with Rio Tinto, BHP (ASX:BHP) and Shell (LON:RDSa) Australia, included leading world-class start-ups, global corporate safety, health and environment functions, project financial evaluation, board governance input, risk management, stakeholder management and turnaround businesses, which brings accomplished skills to the Orion board.
Integrated sustainability strategies
As a previous vice president of a leading ASX-listed mining company, Mpofu led multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated sustainability strategies that drove business results, reduced risk and improved the company's reputation.
A metallurgist by training, Mpofu’s technical proficiency underpins her comprehensive understanding of the mining sector.
Currently, as CEO and principal consultant of Insight Mining Experts (IME), Dr Mpofu offers unparalleled insights into global mining trends, risks and ESG practices, especially in the context of energy transition.
Her career with South 32, Lonmin PLC and Anglo-American, included roles as VP Corporate Affairs, commercial manager, senior manager business development, senior strategy manager, planning analyst and lead metallurgist brings extensive experience to the Orion board across multiple disciplines.