Vale Base Metals has announced Mark Cutifani is stepping down as its board chair.
The global nickel miner said Cutifani would be leaving to “focus on new professional projects,” with Gustavo Pimenta, CEO of Vale S.A., the parent company of Vale Base Metals (VBM), poised to succeed him in July.
"I want to thank and celebrate Mark for his leadership, support and mentorship as chairman of VBM,” Shaun Usmar, Vale Base Metals’ CEO, said in a June 25 news release.
“He was instrumental in my decision to join the company and his principle-driven approach, deep industry knowledge, vast networks and broad experience in everything from operations to projects to sustainability to innovation have been invaluable in shaping the transformation we've embarked upon at VBM.
“I want to wish Mark well in his many future endeavours and express the deep gratitude of the entire VBM team. We look forward to working closely with Gustavo as incoming chair and building on Mark's legacy as we continue to transform VBM into a world-leading critical minerals business."
Cutifani, who’s well known in the Sudbury mining camp, joined Vale Base Metals in July 2023 as the inaugural chair of its newly formed Energy Transition Metals board.
He previously served as chief operating officer at CVRD Inco, Vale’s predecessor, before becoming chief executive officer of AngloGold Ashanti and, later, CEO at Anglo American.
Vale Base Metals credits Cutifani with helping steer the company in its early days after spinning it out as a separate business.
The company lauded his “vision, strategic acumen, and vast industry knowledge and experience, [which] helped set the stage for VBM's early momentum post carveout, while laying the foundation for future growth and long-term value generation.”
In Sudbury, Vale Base Metals operates a network of five mines, a mill, a smelter, and a refinery, which together employ nearly 4,000 people.
Minerals produced there include nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals, gold and silver.
The company has additional operations in Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, Indonesia, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Japan.
