By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Billionaire Patrice Motsepe has stepped down as executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), the company that he founded with effect from Monday, 16 February 2026.
The move follows the effective date of the JSE Simplification Project. Per the new listing requirements, the chair of ARM cannot also serve as an executive director.
The aim of the simplification project is to ensure the requirements are fit for purpose, allowing an effective and appropriate regulation level.
Motsepe will continue to be a director of the company and will serve as the non-executive chairman of the board.
“I look forward to continue contributing to the global competitiveness of ARM in my new capacity as non-executive chairman,” Motsepe stated in a stock exchange news service announcement.
At the same time, ARM announced that Jacques van der Bijl was appointed as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer, a move from his current position as head of Executive Growth.
“I would also like to welcome Jacques to his new role as chief operating officer of ARM. Jacques is a world-class mining engineer and has been working for ARM for many years. ARM remains committed and focused on creating value for its shareholders and benefitting its stakeholders,” Motsepe added.
Motsepe’s history with mining dates back to 1994, when he founded Future Mining, a highly successful contract mining company. A few years later, in 1997, he formed ARMgold, which, under Motsepe’s leadership, merged with Avmin and Harmony Gold.