PROFILE: Who is Natascha Viljoen, Amplats’ new CEO?

"Natascha who?" was the response of many a mining industry observer on hearing that Natascha Viljoen would take over the top job at Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).

Though under the radar is exactly where Viljoen likes to be, those days will end in April when she officially becomes the head of the most profitable platinum miner in the world.

She is inheriting a strong company with world-class assets. The unenviable job of restructuring the business and selling off loss-making assets was done by outgoing CEO Chris Griffith, who, after seven years at the helm, leaves on a high as a leaner, meaner Amplats is printing cash as some platinum group metals (PGMs) hit record highs.

Though Viljoen, 49, has kept a low profile, mining is in her blood: her father worked in gold mining in Klerksdorp. She attended Klerksdorp High, where she did well academically, was a prefect, played hockey for the second team and matriculated in 1987.

Viljoen went on to obtain a bachelor of engineering degree from the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (now North-West University) and an executive management MBA from the University of Cape Town. She started her career at the state-owned Iscor and went on to work at a range of major mining companies such as AngloGold and BHP Billiton, where she gained experience in processing and plant management.

At platinum miner Lonmin, where she worked for six years, she was mainly responsible for the process division — concentrators, smelting and refining. She was also responsible for sustainability, environment and health.

It was in 2014 that Viljoen made the move to Anglo American, where she worked across commodities as group head of processing.

For those who know her, mainly from her time at Lonmin, Viljoen has left a good impression. "She was extremely effective; there was no grey area with her," says Gideon du Plessis, general secretary at trade union Solidarity. "She was very tough, firm but fair, competent and compassionate. One thing that stood out was her work ethic."

Though Solidarity registered its concern when Viljoen left Lonmin, Du Plessis says it came as no surprise. "I think she was destined for bigger things. It would not have been in her interest to be CEO of Lonmin. It’s much better for her to be CEO of a credible company like Amplats."

Erick Gcilitshana, the National Union of Mineworkers’ chief negotiator at Lonmin at the time, says Viljoen was always present at negotiations though not a mandated spokesperson. "During the breaks you would pick up she was a good person and that she had an understanding of the issues."

Du Plessis says the appointment of a woman as Amplats CEO is good for the mining industry as it will bring balance and inspire women students considering their prospects in the sector. He notes that women leaders in the industry tend to have a different, more holistic approach to safety and particularly health on the mines.

But one of Viljoen’s peers says he’s surprised her gender is even mentioned as it’s clearly not why she was appointed. Rather, "it’s because she is a fantastic human being and is highly capable".

Still, news of a woman taking the reins has jogged memories of Cynthia Carroll’s stint as CEO at Anglo American. Though Carroll made a number of missteps, observers say her fate was sealed by a hostile, even toxic, board.

That Viljoen is an insider will stand her in good stead, and will help to cut out any politicking.

More than that, at Anglo American Viljoen is said to have been part of the inner circle and worked closely with CEO Mark Cutifani and technical director Tony O’Neill.

While Amplats boasts high-quality assets, Viljoen’s processing experience could drive improvements in the concentrating and smelting side of the business, where more of the risks are said to be.

Arnold van Graan, analyst at Nedbank CIB, thinks Viljoen has been brought in for her solid understanding of PGMs and her ability to drive efficiency improvement, in line with Amplats’s strategy.