Aquarius Platinum CEO Stuart Murray Steps Down

   By Robb M. Stewart 
 

MELBOURNE--Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP.AU) Monday said Stuart Murray has resigned as chief executive and also as chairman of the platinum producer's main South African unit.

The resignation was effective last Friday, although Mr. Murray will remain employed by Aquarius until March 31 to help with an orderly handover to a successor, the company said in a statement to the Australian securities exchange.

The company added its board would consider a replacement in due course, and in the interim has named Jean Nel, currently commercial director, as chief operating officer. Zwelakhe Mankazana, a non-executive director of the South African unit, has been named interim chairman of Aquarius Platinum South Africa Pty Ltd.

Mr. Murray joined Aquarius in May 2001 and became CEO in September of that year following a 17-year career in the South African platinum industry that began at Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (IMP.JO) in 1984.

Aquarius in June closed the Everest mine in South Africa due to weak prices for platinum group metals and troubles with its workforce.

Write to Robb M. Stewart at [e-mail]

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