(Alliance News) - BHP Group Ltd announced on Thursday it had appointed Vandita Pant as the new chief financial officer in a shake-up of its leadership ranks.

The Melbourne, Australia-based miner said Pant, currently chief commercial officer, will replace David Lamont on March 1. She joined BHP in 2016 and was previously group treasurer and head of Europe.

Lamont will remain with BHP until February 2025 as a senior executive officer in an advisory and projects capacity, reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Mike Henry.

BHP said named Rag Udd as the new chief commercial officer, with effect from March 1. Udd has been president Americas since his appointment in 2020.

The diversified mining group picked Brandon Craig, who joined BHP in 1999, as the new president Americas from March 1.

Johan van Jaarsveld will take over as chief technical officer from March 1. Van Jaarsveld is chief development officer.

"These new appointments ensure that we continue to build organisational capacity, with the right mix of skills, experience and perspectives to deliver BHP's strategy and pursue our growth agenda," BHP CEO Henry said.

"Our operating environment is increasingly complex, but also rich in opportunity for companies that are best able to positively engage stakeholders, deploy capital to the right opportunities in a disciplined way and deliver safe, reliable operational performance," Henry said.

Shares in BHP closed up 0.6% at 2,475.28 pence each on Wednesday in London. In Thursday early morning trading in Johannesburg, they were down 0.1% at ZAR588.02 each.

By Artwell Dlamini, Alliance News reporter

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