London 20/06/2016 - Robert Wunder will become new general manager of Sierra Gorda SCM - the owner of the Sierra Gorda mine in northern Chile. He replaces Maciej Sciążko, Poland's KGHM said in a release.
Wunder has 40 years of experience in the metal mining industry. His experiences in Latin America have included the oversight of mines in Mexico, in Venezuela and in Chile, where he spent a period as the vice president of operations for Minera Escondida.
Sciążko was appointed in 2013 and oversaw the decelopment of Sierra Gorda, which is a joint venture company owned 55 percent by KGHM and 45 percent by Japan's Sumitomo.
Last month KGHM said it will alter its long-term operation plan and will implement a more robust cost-cutting programme at Sierra Gorda, which has not yet met its operating expectations.
The Polish government ordered an audit into KGHM's foreign assets in reaction to the financial situation at Sierra Gorda. KGHM initially forecast copper output at the mine to reach 110,000-120,000 tonnes this year.
(Editing by Mark Shaw)