By Iain Packham
LONDON--Iron-ore miner London Mining PLC (LOND.LN) said Monday
it appointed James North as chief operating officer, replacing
Luciano Ramos, who is retiring to concentrate on family and
personal interests.
Mr. North was previously at BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP), where he
was general manager of the Newman Joint Venture Iron Ore mines in
the East Pilbara region of Australia. He has also worked as the
general manager of operations at BHP Billiton's Mozal aluminium
smelter in Mozambique.
"James' extensive experience in mine production and expansion,
as well as his experience in Africa make him particularly qualified
to contribute to London Mining's next stage of growth," Chief
Executive Graeme Hossie said.
London Mining is producing from its Marampa Mine in Sierra Leone
and developing two other iron ore mines in Saudi Arabia and
Greenland as well as a coking operation in Colombia.
"Operations and construction at Marampa continue to run
according to plan and we remain fully funded to achieve our
near-term targeted production expansion to 5 million tons a year
from this first phase," Mr. Hossie said.
At 0725 GMT, London Mining shares were down 3.0 pence, or
1.5%,at 192.5 pence, in a slightly higher AIM index--up 0.4%.
Write to Iain Packham at iain.packham@dowjones.com