Singapore 23/02/2016 - BHP Billiton has reshuffled its top management as part of its new operating model that will make it “more agile to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by a rapidly changing global marketplace.”
Mike Henry, currently President Coal, will become President Operations, Minerals Australia and will have responsibility for BHP's Australian iron ore and coal operations, the Olympic Dam copper mine, Nickel West and the Indomet coal project, said BHP on Tuesday.
Henry, who will relocate to Melbourne Australia, will also be responsible for the development of world-class maintenance practices across the company.
Under the new operating model, BHP's minerals production operations will be organised into two regional units - Minerals Australia and Minerals Americas.
Daniel Malchuk, currently President Copper, will become President Operations, Minerals Americas and will have responsibility for BHP's copper assets in Chile, the New Mexico Coal mine in the United States, the company's non-operated interests in the Antamina copper joint venture in Peru, the Cerrejon coal joint venture in Colombia and the Resolution copper project in the United States.
Malchuk, who will continue to be based in Santiago in Chile, will be responsible for the development of a new projects centre of excellence to promote continued advances in capital efficiency across the organisation. He will also oversee the company’s ongoing copper exploration program.
The changes – effective March 1 - will allow the company become a much simpler organisation focused on geographic operating regions, BHP said.
“These changes are a continuation of our simplification journey. They are made possible by the recent demerger of South32 and well-timed asset divestments, and reflect our continued commitment to improve productivity,” Andrew Mackenzie, BHP‘s CEO, said
“Both assets and functions will have fewer layers and hence fewer people required to lead and run the organisation. This closer connection between management and operations will promote greater efficiency, rapid sharing of best practice and adoption of new technology to improve safety, productivity and learning - as well as management of risk.”
The changes also mean that one less President role will be required in Australia, and as a result Jimmy Wilson, currently President Iron Ore, will leave the company.
At the same time, Chief Financial Officer, Peter Beaven, will assume global responsibility for strategy and business development, allowing the company to more effectively identify opportunities for value and growth across all commodities, BHP said.
BHP's Marketing and Supply functions will consolidate under the leadership of Arnoud Balhuizen who has been appointed to the role of President, Marketing and Supply. Balhuizen will report to the CEO and will continue to be based in Singapore.
Diane Jurgens has also been appointed to the role of Chief Technology Officer, reporting to the CEO, and will continue to be based in Singapore.