Diversified metals miner Eramet has appointed Simon Henochsberg to succeed Abel Martins as group CFO and executive director and has announced the partial restart of mineral sands processing at its Grande Côte operation, in Senegal, after a fire damaged parts of the extraction plant in February.

The company reported in February that, although the fire had remained confined to the facilities of the first stage of the wet concentrator plant (WCP) screening process, it would disrupt overall operations at the Grande Côte site for some time.

Eramet subsequently decided to initiate a gradual and partial restart of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) production at the operation from the end of April and HMC production levels have now reached about 30% of nameplate capacity of about one-million tonnes.

The temporary solutions implemented now make it possible to feed the WCP from the supplementary dry mining unit, in order to progressively rebuild the HMC volumes required for the intermittent restart of the mineral separation plant later this year.

The gradual resumption of finished products production, following the rebuilding of HMC inventory, should also lead to the resumption of commercial shipments, the company says.

Grande Côte is now expected to produce between 300 000 t and 400 000 t of HMC this year.

Eramet has also started works to rebuild the damaged WCP facilities, which it expects will enable the restart and gradual ramp-up to full production capacity in the first quarter of 2027.

"The partial restart of our operations in Senegal is very positive news for the group, for our customers and for all our stakeholders. I would like to commend the commitment and dedication of our teams, which made it possible to implement the necessary temporary solutions during a particularly challenging period.

"Although important milestones still need to be achieved, the group is moving forward with confidence in the continuation of the reconstruction plan and the gradual ramp-up of the site’s capacities, with the objective of returning to full capacity in the first quarter of 2027,” comments Eramet COO Charles Nouel.

Meanwhile, Eramet chairperson and CEO Christel Bories has welcomed Henochsberg to the group's executive committee, stating that he is taking the reins at the group's financial department at a key moment for the group.

"Simon knows the group, its businesses and its challenges perfectly. He has solid financial experience and shares our managerial culture based on transparency, collaboration and trust. I wish him great success in his new role," she comments.

Henochsberg, who has been transitioning into the role of CFO since February, joined Eramet in 2022 as chief of staff to the chairperson and CEO. In 2024, he was appointed VP of strategy for the group.

Eramet, which is based in France, also owns manganese, nickel and lithium assets in Gabon, Indonesia, New Caledonia and Argentina.