Asian Mineral Resources Limited has appointed Robert D. Guest general manager of the Ban Phuc Nickel Mines joint venture in which Asian Mineral has a 90% interest. 

Robert Guest is a mining engineer with more than 25 years" experience in mining projects in various parts of the world, including more than 15 years in South East Asia.

He will take up full-time duties on May 15.

Meanwhile in head office, Michael Hawkins, former vice president of exploration, has been appointed president and director of East Asia Minerals. 

Michael Hawkins has a strong and diversified background in Asia, North America and Latin America. 

Before joining East Asia Minerals in 2005, he held senior positions as Mongolia country manager for AngloGold Ashanti and chief geologist for Highlands Pacific where he focused on Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Lyndon Bradish, East Asia's former president, CEO and director, has stepped down from those positions. 

Darren Pylot, current chairman of the East Asia Minerals board, has agreed to serve as Interim CEO of the company.  Jason Howe, CFO of Capstone Mining Corporation, has been appointed East Asia Minerals corporate secretary.

BHP Billiton combines coal business

BHP Billiton has brought together the Energy Coal and Metallurgical Coal divisions under a single customer sector group president.

The current Metallurgical Coal president, Dave Murray, will become Coal President, with responsibility for both the Metallurgical Coal and Energy Coal businesses. 

He will continue to report to Carbon Steel Materials group president Chris Lynch.

The next stage is to combine the coal businesses under a single Customer Sector Group President.