WHAT IT MEANS

Lonmin’s new CEO, Ben Magara, is a mining man through and through. “Today mining requires more than just a pick and a shovel — it’s a lot about people,” he says.

Before joining Lonmin on July 1, he spent 26 years with Anglo American where he started as a miner and worked his way through the traditional mining ranks. He eventually rose to the position of Anglo Coal CE before moving to Anglo American Platinum in a technical executive position. Along the way he picked up a mining engineering degree from the University of Zimbabwe, in his home country.

He brings to Lonmin not only his technical operational knowledge but, aptly, at this critical juncture in the company’s history, his unrivalled experience in employee engagement and stakeholder management.

“It’s all about how we relate. I care very much about how we engage and collaborate — be it with our employees or managers, shareholders, inspectors of mines, regulators, communities or partners,” he says.

Magara spent his first few weeks at Lonmin meeting with as many of the company’s employees as possible — at shafts, plants and offices. “I wanted to hear their concerns in person and what they think we should stop, start or stay doing to be a successful company, so that all may benefit,” he says.

He also visited the families of those employees who lost their lives at Marikana last year to ensure that all their children were going to school and receiving the death benefits due to them from the provident fund. The company paid the funeral expenses of the deceased and, together with its empowerment partner, Shanduka Resources, has set up an education trust for