In the midst of a battle following a merger bid by giant miner Xstrata, the British-South African Anglo American mining company has appointed John Parker its chairman. Parker is replacing Mark Moody-Stuart, who served as chairman for seven years.

Jewelry Biz-News quotes Mark Priest, a senior trader at ETX Capital: “The announcement of Sir John Parker as the new chairman of the Anglo American mining company sends a clear statement that they see a strong and independent future.”