By: OrePulse

Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine, the rare earth and thorium extraction operation in South Africa's Western Cape, has appointed Aidan Schoonbee as Chief Operating Officer to oversee the company's transition to full production and the build-out of downstream processing facilities.

Schoonbee brings a decade of general-management experience to the role. Most recently, he was Executive Manager at Phalaborwa Mining Company, where his remit covered commissioning flotation, milling, and magnetic separation processing plants; running underground gyratory crushing and ventilation systems; and setting up the site's Value Improving Practices division from the ground up. Earlier in his career, he held positions at African Eagle, ADP Kukama, Debswana, Wexford Goldfields and Golden Star Resources, working across gold, diamond, coal, nickel, copper and iron-ore operations. He holds a Master of Engineering degree and has experience managing complex capital projects and EPCM contracting.

Steenkampskraal chairperson Dr. Enock Mathebula said Schoonbee joins the company "at a pivotal stage," as it works toward initial output and eventual full-scale operations.

The appointment comes as Steenkampskraal works to build its position in the global rare earth and thorium supply chain, amid growing interest in alternatives to processing capacity concentrated in China.