Wescoal Holdingshas named Dutch Botes as the new Chief Executive Officer of Wescoal Mining Proprietary Limited‚ a wholly owned subsidiary of Wescoal‚ with effect from 1 November.

Mr Botes is a qualified mining‚ electrical and mechanical engineer who has over 34 years of experience in the mining sector having previously held the position of CEO at Umcebo Mining‚ a significant junior coal mining house.

While in his position at Umcebo Mining‚ he successfully brought a total of six new coal mines to production including an underground operation at Klippan Colliery.

Prior to joining Umcebo Mining‚ Mr Botes was general manager at various BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa operations including Middelburg Mines‚ Khutala Colliery‚ Optimum Colliery‚ Koornfontein Mines and Delmas Colliery.

For a period‚ he was also general manager of Hotazel Manganese Mines‚ an operation consisting of an underground and opencast mine‚ with various processing plants including a sinter operation.

His appointment is in line with Wescoal´s strategy of expanding its mining capabilities‚ with its stated intention to increase its current production to 4 million tonnes per annum by 2015/2016.

Source - I-Net Bridge

(www.coalguru.com)