Kropz ropes in mining veteran Jan Steenkamp at Elandsfontein project

Plant nutrient feed minerals producer Kropz announced the appointment of Jan Steenkamp as its managing director of its 74%-owned Elandsfontein phosphate development project in South Africa's Western Cape province on Thursday.

The AIM-traded firm described Steenkamp as a “well-known” South African mining industry veteran, who had successfully managed mining operations across a number of commodities.

He was currently a non-executive director on the board of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) - a South African diversified mining and minerals company with long-life, low unit cost operations.

Steenkamp was first appointed as managing director of ARM group company Avgold in 2002, and also served on the board of Assmang.

In May 2003, he was appointed to the Avmin board, and later served as chief executive officer.

Following his tenure as an executive of ARM in June 2017, he served as the chief executive of ARM Ferrous and of ARM Exploration and Strategic Services.

Elandsfontein is Kropz's most developed asset, the board claimed, which it said would exploit the country's largest sedimentary phosphate deposit.

Around $120m had been invested in exploration, bulk sampling, feasibility studies and subsequent construction of a mine, mineral processing facility and associated infrastructure.

Off-take agreements for its production of more than 1 Mtpa at at least 31% phosphate (P2O5) rock concentrate had already been secured.

Following the successful AIM admission of Kropz in November last year, the board said Steenkamp had been tasked with developing the operational team and driving the Elandsfontein project through to commercial production.

Results of the metallurgical test work currently being carried out at Elandsfontein were on track to be released during the first half of 2019.

“I am pleased to welcome such a high calibre individual onto the Kropz leadership team,” said chief executive officer Ian Harebottle.

“It is no coincidence that Jan has been a long-time asset to the success of the African Rainbow Minerals story, associated with our largest shareholder, Africa Rainbow Capital.

“Once again, it shows the immense support Kropz continues to receive from ARC, not only as a provider of investment for the project and the company, but also as a source of further technical expertise and assistance required to bring our exciting projects on stream.”

Jan Steenkamp added that he was “very excited” to be a part of the Elandsfontein opportunity.

“This project has been built to a high standard, has received significant capital investment to date, and is now nearing the final stages of completion,” Steenkamp said.

“I am pleased to be managing the team that is set to form the foundation for a company with the grand ambition to become an African fertiliser champion.”