Anglo American announced last week that Nicky Oppenheimer has informed the Board of his wish to retire from his position as a non-executive director, after 37 years.



Mr Oppenheimer will step down from the Board at the conclusion of Anglo American’s Annual General Meeting to be held on 21 April 2011.



“Anglo American has been in the psyche of every member of my family since the company was founded nearly a century ago. During my 40 years with Anglo, first as an employee and then as a director, I have been lucky enough to participate in many transformational decisions. However there comes a time when it is right to stand aside and allow others to carry the baton. For me that time is now," Nicky Oppenheimer said in a statement.

Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies, focusing on platinum group metals, diamonds, copper, nickel, iron ore, metallurgical and thermal coal.