Trailblazer Mark Cutifani

Mark Cutifani Cutifani departs Anglo American on an investment high

In April, Mark Cutifani stepped down as Chief Executive of Anglo American.

Cutifani was appointed to his leadership position on April 3, 2013. During the last nine years, he has ensured the mining giant kept a tight rein on costs while capitalising on commodity booms – and, judging by the timing of his departure, with shares touching a 20-year high, his record is likely to be viewed favourably.

Cutifani’s main achievement is holding Anglo American together through some interesting times and, broadly speaking, managing “to keep it out of the kinds of ESG and political trouble that Rio Tinto,

BHP, and Glencore periodically run into”, according to Proactive Investors. He oversaw transformational improvements via its P101 and FutureSmart Mining programmes, both of which aim to drive operations towards carbon neutrality before 2040. Latterly, he proactively managed the health, social and economic effects of the pandemic, considering the “entire ecosystem of [our] business”, acknowledging that operations and host communities must both be healthy to prosper on a sustainable basis.

Cutifani saw a material opportunity for Anglo American to set itself apart, in terms of the performance of its diversified business – further enhanced through 25% projected volume growth over the next three years, led by copper and platinum group metals.

Prior to his move to Angle American, Cutifani was – from 2007 – CEO of AngloGold Ashanti, the South Africabased gold producer. Here, he led the successful restructuring and development of its business, which includes operations in 10 countries on four continents.

Previously, he was also the Chief Operating Officer of CVRD Inco, the Canadian nickel company.

He started his career in the coal and gold mining industries in Australia, cultivating experience across a wide range of commodities, and he also holds a degree in Mining Engineering.