Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll resigns under shareholders pressure

The CEO of Anglo American, Cynthia Carroll, the first woman to head a global mining major, yesterday resigned after nearly six years with the London-based company after some shareholders called for a change in leadership.

Carroll will also resign as chairman of Anglo Platinum and diamond producing giant De Beers.

Listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges, Anglo American is a diversified mining company with interests in iron ore, coal, copper and other precious metals. It also holds a majority 85 per cent in De Beers.

Hailing from Princeton, New Jersey, Carroll is the first non-South African to head the diversified miner. She will continue as chief executive until a successor has been appointed.

Carroll said, ''It is a very difficult decision to leave, but next year I will be entering my seventh year as chief executive and I feel that the time will be right to hand over to a successor who can build further on the strong foundations we have created.''

Sir John Parker, chairman of Anglo American and an ardent supporter of Carroll, said, ''We will conduct an international search, both internally and externally. We will not be rushed – the most important thing is to find the right person to lead the company.''