AFTER 13 years at the helm, Werner Duvenhage, the managing director at RBM and Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Africa Operations, has announced his decision to leave the company to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Duvenhage made the announcement today (Tuesday).

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He joined Rio Tinto in 2013 as MD of Rossing Uranium Limited in Namibia, where he successfully led the business until 2018.

He subsequently joined RBM and has since led the company through a period of extraordinary challenges and changes, playing a central role in stabilising operations, strengthening relationships with host communities and rebuilding trust with stakeholders.

Rio Tinto chief commercial officer Bold Baatar said, with his team, Duvenhage helped establish the conditions necessary to enable the restart of the Zulti South project in March, extending the mine’s life to 2050 and supporting RBM’s long-term operational continuity.

“Werner has achieved a great deal during his 13 years with Rio Tinto. Most recently, he has been instrumental in guiding RBM through a particularly challenging period with resilience and integrity.

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“He is justifiably held in high esteem by our employees and partners, and his leadership has helped put RBM on a more stable footing for the future.

“We are very grateful for his contribution and commitment to Rio Tinto and RBM, and I wish him every success in the next chapter of his career,” said Baatar.

Duvenhage will leave the organisation on 31 July. As part of a transition, Wilhemina Ngcobo, currently COO, will assume the role of acting MD.

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