Nick Holland, CEO of Gold Field and a lover of black suits with red trimmings, cuts a far more dapper figure than most mining executives. More inportantly his all-or-nothing approach to safety has paid erratic dividends at the group’s four South African mines. After dramatic suspensions and refurbishments in 2008, the company’s workhorsess Driefontein and Kloof have, however, yet to return to historical production levels and are now a drag on Gold Fields’ otherwise stellar operational results. South Deep, the fabled “mine of the future” has, however, started ramping up in earnest, and Holland has promised 300 000 ounces in 2010. The year also promises a feasibilty study on Gold Fields’ 13 tailings dumps in South Africa which could compromise one heck of a gold, uranium and sulphur mine. It’s already being billed as the group’s fifth South African mine. “The important thing is the momentum towards that target,” says Holland.

LIFE OF NICK
A chartered accountant, Holland has a BCom and BAcc from Wits. He became the executive director of finance for Gold Fields in 1998 and worked as the financial director of Gencor. He’s a director of Rand Refinery Ltd and has worked in the coal industry.

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