Ivanhoe Announces Major Leadership Transitions to Drive Next Phase of Growth

Ivanhoe Mines has announced a series of significant leadership transitions designed to guide the company through its next phase of growth across its world class portfolio, including Kamoa Kakula, Platreef, and the Western Forelands. These changes reflect Ivanhoe’s strategic focus on reinforcing both its operational depth and commercial capabilities as it prepares for major expansions and the next wave of project delivery. The updated leadership structure blends continuity with new expertise, ensuring that the company maintains strong execution capacity while positioning itself for long term value creation.

A central element of the transition is the move by long serving executive Mark Farren from Chief Operating Officer to Strategic Advisor. After more than a decade in senior leadership roles, Farren leaves behind a record of nine successfully delivered capital projects. These include multiple phases of the Kamoa Kakula copper complex, the development of the new smelter, the rehabilitation of Kipushi, completion of Platreef Phase 1, and the refurbishment of hydropower assets that underpin clean energy supply for operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His shift into a strategic advisory role will allow him to continue contributing high level insight while supporting long term planning and project optimization.

Taking over as Chief Operating Officer on January 1, 2026, is Tom van den Berg, who previously led operations at Kamoa Kakula. Van den Berg brings 37 years of deep mining experience across companies such as Sibanye Stillwater, Harmony Gold, and Anglo American Platinum. His immediate priority will be overseeing the operational recovery at Kamoa Kakula as part of the leadership handover. His extensive technical background and operational track record make him well suited to managing the complexities of Ivanhoe’s rapidly expanding asset base. Complementing these changes, industry veteran Nick Popovic has been appointed as Strategic Advisor, adding three decades of global metals trading and operational expertise to Ivanhoe’s decision making framework.

The company has also introduced important updates at the board level. Long serving director Manfu Ma is stepping down after six years of influential service, a period marked by major capital approvals and strategic partnerships. Replacing him is Xianwen Wu, the General Manager of CITIC Metal, who joins the board effective November 26, 2025. Wu’s appointment strengthens Ivanhoe’s ties with one of its most significant strategic shareholders and enhances the board’s commercial and international expertise.

The expanded leadership team is expected to play a critical role as Ivanhoe advances large scale initiatives such as the Platreef Phase 2 expansion and the ongoing development of the Western Forelands exploration corridor. In addition, the company plans to release its 2026 and 2027 copper production outlook for Kamoa Kakula during the week of December 1, 2025, which will provide further clarity on the next operational milestones.

From a broader industry perspective, these leadership transitions arrive at a pivotal time for global metals markets, particularly as copper and platinum group metals continue to anchor energy transition technologies and advanced manufacturing. By strengthening its management capabilities, Ivanhoe is positioning itself to respond more effectively to rising commodity demand while reinforcing its role as a central contributor to Africa’s mining growth. The updates could also provide renewed confidence to investors and further stimulate development across the region’s critical mineral corridors.

Photo Credit: Ivanhoe Mines, sourced from the official website’s news release.

Mini Glossary

• COO (Chief Operating Officer): The executive responsible for overseeing daily operations and ensuring efficient performance across projects.
• Strategic Advisor: A senior expert who provides high level guidance on planning, risk management, and long term strategy.
• Hydropower Refurbishment: Restoration and upgrading of hydropower facilities to ensure reliable, low cost renewable energy for mining operations.
• Operational Recovery: A process aimed at restoring full production levels after technical, logistical, or capacity related challenges.

Editor: Vural Burç ÇAKIR