Our People

Marc has over 20 years experience in underground and open pit mining operations in Europe and Africa. In October 2005 he joined BSGR as COO and became CEO of Mining and Metals in May 2007. He has gained experience in a wide range of commodities and has worked on several projects and mines in Africa, the Baltic region and Europe. He has managed various feasibility studies, independent due diligence reviews and technical audits. He serves on a number of boards in the BSGR group.

Mr. Patrick Saada holds a B.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. In 1991 Mr. Saada began his career with the Steinmetz Diamond Group (affiliate of the BSGR) where for a period of ten years he served as a Director. During his tenure at the SDG, he acquired extensive experience on large deals, in-depth knowledge of the diamond industry and first-hand exposure to operations in Africa. He joined BSGR in 2007 and he currently acts as the Vice Chairman of Koidu Holdings.

Yossie has over 12 years experience in finance and accounting, having joined BSGR in September 2003 in a forensic accounting and internal audit capacity. Initially Yossie was responsible for global consolidation of the Mining and Metals division, he has subsequently become the CFO of BSGR. His prior work experience includes Global Financial Manager of the Structured Finance division of Investec Bank Limited and prior to that, a forensic accountant in the Group Risk division of Investec.

Sandra provides in house corporate counsel and has 19 years of experience in natural resources, real estate, capital markets and investment management companies. Having worked for the Steinmetz Diamond Group for 7 years, she has gained broad experience in the management of company administration at group level. She currently holds posts as director in several BSG group companies.

Dr Rombouts has over 30 years' experience in diamond exploration and mining. He has held positions ranging from Field Geologist to Chief Geologist and Independent Consultant, having been involved in the exploration and evaluation of diamond projects around the world and in Africa in particular. Dr Rombouts is an internationally recognized expert in the diamond industry with numerous papers published on diamond project evaluation, geostatistics and exploration methods.

P.C. Saquee is a Kono by tribe and hails from the Saquee Ruling Family of Tankoro Chiefdom, Kono District, Sierra Leone. He was elected as Paramount Chief for Tankoro Chiefdom on 10 March 2006 and succeeded his late uncle Paramount Chief F.J.M. Saquee IV. P.C. Paul Saquee was appointed by the Sierra Leone Government as their representative to the Board of Koidu Holdings in September 2006. Paramount Chiefs are the traditional authority at Chiefdom level and act as the link between the Central Government and the Chiefdom people, they have legislative, judicial and executive functions. The Koidu Kimberlite Project is situated exclusively within the Tankoro Chiefdom.

As Chief Executive Officer of Koidu Holdings, Jan Joubert was the mastermind and key protagonist in the establishment of Koidu Holdings S.A in 2003 and can be credited with transforming the fledgling company into an outstanding asset in just under five years. Having brought the mine at Koidu into production in record breaking time, Jan Joubert also expanded the company's mineral asset portfolio by securing the rights to the highly sought after Tongo Diamond Field licence area, as well the rights to the adjacent Kangama property.

His experience in starting up projects in environments such as Zambia, Angola and the DRC has given him a distinct advantage and understanding of the challenges to be overcome in developing mining operations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Kobus, a B Comm. (Hons) - (Management Accounting) graduate with diplomas in Mining Taxation and Management Development Program (MDP), joined the Company in October 2004. He brought with him more than 20 years of relevant experience in a mining environment that covers all operational and management levels within the Financial Discipline. He acquired most of his experience working for Gold Fields (RSA), Anglo American - Gold (RSA) and Konkola Copper Mines (Zambia). As the Chief Financial Officer of the company, he takes care of and ensures that the financial performance of the company is optimized in a sustainable manner that will provoke long term growth. As member of the Strategic Management Team of the company, Kobus is responsible for the provision of high level management input vis-a-vis, company strategy, objectives, operational plans and strategic planning and financial management. Given his experience, his ability to work with and to manage people, his integrity coupled with his commitment to his various tasks/challenges, Kobus has proven to be an invaluable asset to the company.

Dino Coutinho has extensive experience in Sierra Leone (13 Years), having served at PAE as Chief of Security and also as a security advisor to the UN World Food Program (WFP) before joining the Company in 2003 as the Security Manager at the Koidu Kimberlite Project. Dino was promoted to Chief Security Officer of Koidu Holdings in 2004. Dino was instrumental in the formulation of all security procedures and systems since the start of the mobilization phase. Due to extensive knowledge and understanding of the local environment and possessing the necessary management skills, Dino was tasked with rehabilitation of the Tongo - Koidu road and completion of the Tongo bulk sample, as the Tongo Diamond Field Project Manager (2006 to 2007). He is currently acting in the capacity of Koidu Kimberlite Project Mine Manager and has done so on several occasions in the past.

Dr Freeman joined Koidu Holdings in 2004 on secondment from the diamond consulting arm of BSGR in Johannesburg. Dr Freeman holds a PhD in Economic Geology from the University of the Witwatersrand, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Mining Engineering. With a strong background in project auditing, mineral reporting compliance and strategic planning, she has been advisor to the company on administrative, legal, operational, technical and financial matters. She heads up the Geology Department, being responsible for mineral resource management, as well as the implementation and auditing of production tracking systems and databases. Together with the other members of the strategic management team, Dr Freeman was behind the introduction of the vertical pit mining method at Koidu and is the key liaison between the company and external mining and technical consultants.

Abu Nallah joined the company as Financial Officer in 2003. Abu holds a Diploma in Accounting in Business and Management from the College of Professionals Management in Jersey, Britain, and previously worked for the National Diamond Mining Company (NDMC) as an Accountant. He is an asset for the company and his experience has proved invaluable. His meticulous financial practice has contributed immensely in making Koidu Holdings one of the most successful companies in Sierra Leone.

Lucy Foh holds a Diploma in Computer Skills and a Certificate in Secretarial Duties, having worked with the National Diamond Mining Company (NDMC) both as a Typist and Administrative Assistant. She was employed by Koidu Holdings as Secretary in 2003. Ever since then, she has been an ever present figure in the Freetown office. Her proficiency in handling both secretarial and administrative duties has no doubt helped with the smooth functioning of the head office of the company. Every worker in the company is some how conversant with the name Lucy because she is the first point of contact of the company. Lucy has truly proved to be a worthy employee.

As Agricultural Development Manager, Aiah holds a Higher Teachers' Certificate (HTC) and is the most senior Kono indigene in the company. He started with the company in 2003 as Administration Officer of the Koidu Kimberlite Project. Before joining the company, he had previously worked with the National Diamond Mining Company (NDMC) and the UN in Sierra Leone. In 2007, he was appointed to head the Agriculture Project and was sent to South Africa to undergo a two-week course in Vegetable Gardening and Management at the University of Free State in Bloemfontein to kick start the company's agriculture project at the resettlement site. Bindi has evinced keenness to use his newly acquired expertise to help his people.

Currently the Assistant Agriculture Development Manager, Philip joined Koidu Holdings in 2003 as the Public Relations Officer, acting as the gatekeeper between the company and the community. He was also involved with the resettlement programme. However, to successfully implement the company's agriculture programme, he was one of the two sent to South Africa in 2007 to undergo a two-week training course in Vegetable Gardening and Management at the University of Free State in Bloemfontein. As an indigene of Kono, Philips is very anxious to start what he regards as the beginning of the achievement of food security in his district.

A graduate from the University of Sierra Leone with a Technician Diploma in Accounting (TDA), Mansaray has steadily progressed in the company. He joined the company in 2005 as Inventory Control Assistant. His performance within a short period earned him a s promotion to Stores Supervisor. From then on, his hard work commitment and willingness to learn has seen him rise to the position of Stores Manager in just two years with the company. He is now in charge of a store worth almost $6 million and supervises over 29 people. Sill in his 20s, Abdul has demonstrated the potential to go even higher in the company.

Fresh from reading for a Masters in International Relations at the Webster University in the United Kingdom, Ibrahim joined Koidu Holdings in 2007 as Administration Officer. With a background of Mass Communication and experience in journalism, he manifested traits of his communication acumen during his probationary period, at the completion of which, he was promoted to the Koidu Kimberlite Project Administration and Public Relations Manager. He has previously worked for Regent's Business School in England and a number of media and non-governmental organizations in Sierra Leone. As former president of his university's students' union and Vice President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students, he is endowed with enviable leadership qualities. Though very new in the company, Ibrahim has exhibited remarkable commitment to the company, passion for his job and an enthusiasm to learn. Still in his 20s, he seems on course for a brighter future in Koidu Holdings.

An indigene of Kono District, Sarah joined the company in 2004 as the Secretary to the Mine Manager. With a certificate in computer software, she has recently been promoted to the IT department, where she now works as the IT Database Officer. She is responsible for the capturing of all Mining Utilisation Data and the supervision of all production clerks. Having worked with the company for 4 years, she has established herself as one of its most reliable staff members and one that is ever determined to learn and contribute to the growth of the company.