With over 55,000 hectares of land in its mining concessions, and given the area’s prime location, ample rainfall and fertile soil, Sierra Rutile believes that there is a compelling business case for an agricultural business that will help provide employment opportunities for the surrounding population. On that premise the company recently announced the appointment of Charles Keiser, as Chief Executive Officer of Agricultural Resources Group Limited, Sierra Rutile’s wholly-owned agribusiness subsidiary.

Having spent his entire career in agribusiness, Mr Keiser will bring to the Agricultural Resources Group a wealth of experience – most notably over 30 years with internationally renowned Chiquita Brands, a global producer and distributor of bananas and other fruits. As Vice President Strategic Sourcing at Chiquita, Mr Keiser had responsibility for setting up and managing the company’s sourcing strategy and business plans for new operations around the world. He has been involved in all aspects of agribusiness including sourcing, production and growing in Central and South America, the USA and the Philippines, and was a key member of Chiquita Brands extensive Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.

At Agricultural Resources Group Limited Mr Keiser’s duties will include the identification of commercial agriculture opportunities and development of a viable agricultural business on land managed by Sierra Rutile. He will also be responsible for maximizing the effectiveness of the company’s on-going land rehabilitation program.

Said Sierra Rutile’s Chairman, Jan Castro, “We see the appointment of Charles as CEO of our agriculture subsidiary as a major step in developing this area of the business. He brings with him a wealth of experience from all over the world. While we remain fully committed to delivering on our core objective of significant and consistent expansion in rutile production, a successful venture in agriculture has real potential to provide significant employment in the local communities.”