Vale has announced Deshnee Naidoo has taken over as executive vice-president of its Base Metals division, effective Dec. 20, 2021.
Naidoo replaces Mark Travers, who had served in the position on an interim basis since 2019, following the resignation of CEO Fábio Schvartsman and three of the company’s senior executives.
The resignations were prompted by the collapse of a tailings dam in Brazil that killed 186 people.
Naidoo joined Vale as its chief financial officer in January 2021.
According to the company, “Deshnee has collaborated across Base Metals to understand the challenges and opportunities to accelerate the transformation. She also built greater financial discipline and cost management, while also setting the grounds for business growth.”
Prior to her current role at Vale, Naidoo was CEO of the Zine International business at Vedanta Resources from 2014 to 2020, and previously was CEO of Africa Base Metals at the company.
Between 1998 and 2014, Naidoo worked at Anglo American, serving in a variety of roles, including chief of staff and chief financial officer for the company’s thermal coal business.
Naidoo is a three-time “South Africa Mining Rainmaker,” was recognized among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining in 2018, and has served as a board member of the South Africa Minerals Council.
Vale’s Base Metals operations include its Sudbury complex, which encompasses five mines, a mill, a smelter, a refinery, and nearly 4,000 employees.
Its products include nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals, gold and silver.
One of the largest integrated mining complexes in the world, Vale's Sudbury assets have been in operation for more than 100 years.
