Sandfire Resources has appointed experienced mining executive Mr Brendan Harris as the Company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
The appointment marks the completion of a global executive search that followed founding CEO Karl Simich’s decision to step down from the role on 30 September 2022.
Mr Harris has extensive experience as an exploration geologist, highly-regarded equity analyst and senior executive with BHP and South32. He has been a member of South32’s executive management team since its demerger from BHP in 2015 and played a key role in the company’s establishment as its inaugural Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, he has held the role of Chief Human Resources and Commercial Officer at South32, with responsibility for global commodity marketing, procurement and human resources.
He has also previously served as BHP’s Global Head of Investor Relations and, prior to joining BHP in 2010, held various roles in investment banking including as Executive Director at Macquarie Securities, where he led the Metals & Mining Research team. Mr Harris brings a broad range of leadership, commercial and technical skills to Sandfire, particularly in the management and operations of a diversified international mining business, and he has a deep understanding of the future-facing metals required to sustainably decarbonise the global economy.
Mr Harris is expected to commence employment with Sandfire on 3 April 2023.
Sandfire Non-Executive Chair, John Richards, said: “The Board is delighted to have secured a leading industry executive of Brendan’s calibre and experience in an extremely competitive market for talent.
“Brendan impressed us with his broad range of skills and his vision for Sandfire to be a safe and sustainability-focused, global copper mining company that is well positioned to meet the needs of a rapidly growing market.
“Importantly, Brendan shares the Board’s views on Sandfire’s strategy for continued, profitable growth and has well-developed ideas on the implementation of that strategy.”
Incoming CEO, Brendan Harris, said: “I feel incredibly privileged to be joining Sandfire at such an exciting time in its evolution as a global copper producer, with the MATSA Copper Operations in Spain and the Motheo Copper Mine in Botswana providing the foundation to grow copper production safely and responsibly as demand benefits from the electrification of the global economy.
“I look forward to leading the Sandfire team and building on the company’s strong safety track record, outstanding operating credentials and positive relationships with its surrounding communities to ensure that tangible value is created for all stakeholders.”
