Swedish industrial giant Sandvik Mining, has appointed Mr. Nuhu Salifu as the first Ghanaian Sales Area Manager and Managing Director for West Africa with effect from January 1, 2014.

Nuhu succeeds James Oosthuizen who, according to company internal communications, is relocating to Indonesia as the Sales Area Manager there.

He will report directly to the Director of Global Direct Sales of Sandvik Mining, Mr. Matts Berge.

Until his elevation to the position of Managing Director, Mr. Salifu, was the Human Resources Business Partner for Sales Area West Africa of Sandvik.

Samuel Brewu will replace him in this capacity.

Mr. Salifu, who has extensive experience in operational and people management spanning over 20 years in the West African mining industry is believed to be the first African to be appointed to this position in the company’s 150-year history. He is a product of the University of Cape Coast.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Salifu said, “I am excited and privileged to be leading our West African team during this phase of our company’s development.”

He expressed optimism that “Together with our strong management team and dedicated colleagues at all levels of our organization and global network of experts, we will continue to do what we do best – improve on our customers’ safety and productivity and help them to exceed their targets.”

Sandvik Mining is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a leading global supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining industry.

“Sandvik Group has 49,000 employees and conducts business in more than 130 countries,” the statement said.