Sibanye-Stillwater has appointed Richard Cox as Chief Regional Officer for the Southern African region (CRO: SA region), effective July 1, 2025. Cox had been serving in the role in an acting capacity since May 2025.

The company stated that Cox’s promotion follows an extensive recruitment process that included both internal and external candidates. He previously served as Executive Vice President (EVP) of Processing for the SA region and brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the role, having held various senior leadership positions across multiple commodities and jurisdictions.

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Cox joined Sibanye-Stillwater in November 2020 as Senior Vice-President: Strategy Advisor. He was promoted to EVP, SA region gold operations, in February 2021, before taking on the role of EVP, Processing, in April 2024.

Before joining Sibanye, Cox built a robust career in the mining sector. He held several leadership roles at Anglo American Platinum (Valterra), Anglo American North Americas, where he was involved in major project work, and AngloGold Ashanti, where he gained operational experience in both South Africa and Mali. His career encompasses operational management, strategic planning, and project execution, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the mining value chain.

Cox received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), and has participated in the Stanford Executive Programme at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

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Commenting on the appointment, Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman said, “We welcome Richard’s promotion to the C-Suite, and his appointment as CRO: SA region. He ably stepped in as acting CRO: SA region in May 2025, filling a critical role previously occupied by CEO designate Richard Stewart, ensuring continuity and confirming his capability. His appointment highlights the quality and depth of internal leadership at Sibanye-Stillwater and validates our succession processes.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Cox describes himself as: “an experienced leader in the resource industry, with a diverse commodity mining background across multinational settings, I have honed my abilities to cultivate high-performing teams that consistently deliver value to stakeholders. At the centre of my leadership philosophy is a commitment to instilling a culture of excellence and innovation, with an unwavering focus on the greater good.”

Cox’s appointment reinforces Sibanye-Stillwater’s commitment to nurturing internal talent and ensuring strong leadership continuity as it advances its strategic priorities across the Southern African region.