Outgoing Lynas Rare Earths chief executive officer (CEO) Amanda Lacaze has suggested she would welcome a female successor to her role at the helm of the Perth-based miner.
Speaking to The Australian Financial Review about her impending retirement, Lacaze noted she would prefer a female to be her successor.
“In the mining sector, we still have far too many women who are cast in the competent [second in command] role, rather than making that last step into leadership,” she said.
“So I would be delighted if [my replacement is] a woman. I would also be delighted if it’s somebody who looks different in other ways. I just want my successor to be someone with the skills and the competence to run this business and to do it successfully.”
Lacaze called time on her leadership of the world’s biggest producer of separated rare earths outside of China after 12 years, in which she oversaw immense market capitalisation growth from $400 million to $15 billion.
The 63-year-old has received widespread praise for her work at the rare earths giant, with Hancock Prospecting executive chair Gina Rinehart commending her leadership as a key part of Lynas’ success.
“Rare earth projects are very challenging and difficult to develop, and Amanda’s leadership has been critical in Lynas becoming a global leader in rare earths, a sector that is critical to our defence and technology industries,” Rinehart said in a statement.
“Amanda has also provided much needed mining industry leadership and spoken about how important mining is to Australia and its future, and the need for reduced bureaucracy and sensible policy.”
It’s understood the search for Lacaze’s replacement is underway.
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