| Fri 7 May 2004, 14:36 | | PRESS RELEASE |
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WESTERN AREAS LIMITED - PRESS RELEASE
WESTERN AREAS LIMITED
Registration number 1959/003209/06
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
Share code: WAR
ISIN: ZAE000016549
Press Release
Appointment of new CEO at South Deep
7th May 2004
John Bredenhann has been appointed CEO of the Placer Dome-Western Areas Joint
Venture and will take up his new role at the South Deep mine on June 1, 2004.
John, who is currently Senior Consultant: Capital Projects at Gold Fields
International Limited, has 35 years of experience in the South African gold
mining industry. During this time, he has not only built a solid reputation as a
mining engineer, but also as a leader and team builder. During his time with
JCI, Gold Fields and Gencor/Billiton, John worked at a number of deep level
Witswatersrand gold mines, and has hands-on experience of mining wide Upper
Elsburg orebodies, similar to the deposit being mined at South Deep.
Considered to be one of the pioneers of trackless/mechanized mining, John has a
capacity for strategic and conceptual thinking, as well as a proven hands-on
approach. He was part of the team that spearheaded a number of mechanized mining
initiatives at Randfontein Estates, which were later extended to other mining
operations in the area.
John"s appointment comes at a major junction in the life of South Deep, namely
the commissioning of the new Twin Shaft system at the end of 2004, which marks
the transition in the life of the mine from a major capital project into an
operating mine. The Joint Venture Board looks forward to John providing the
strategic direction and leadership necessary to enable South Deep to achieve its
objectives of becoming a high quality long life gold mining operation.
The appointment of John forms part of a total review of the operations at South
Deep, which has been initiated by the Joint Venture to ensure the optimal
commissioning of the new Twin Shaft system and implementation of the future mine
development plan.
George Paspalas, who is currently CEO of the JV, will return to a position
within the Placer Dome group.
For further information on this release please contact:
Western Areas Limited: George Poole, Investor Relations Executive (011) 688
5012; Fax: (011) 836 3757: Cell: 0826508942
Placer Dome South Africa: Jean Chawapiwa-Pama, VP Corporate Communications, Tel:
(011) 453 1400 Fax:((011) 453 150; Cell: 083 660 6586
South Deep
Placer Dome South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Western Areas Ltd trading as
Registration No: PDSA 1989/023354/07 WAL 1959/003209/06
Placer Dome -Western Areas Joint Venture
P O Box 57
Westonaria
1780
Farm Modderfontein, Old Vereeniging Road, Western Areas 1779. P.O Box 148,
Westonaria, 1780
Tel (11 411 1000)
Fax (11 751 5919)
Website: www.southdeep.co.za
Date: 07/05/2004 02:30:09 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
