Career overview
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
AND
STEWARDSHIP
John joined Anglo American in 1972 and
worked on gold and uranium operations in
South Africa before moving to Zimbabwe
where his focus was nickel and chromium
operations, rising to being Managing Director
of Zimbabwe Alloys and Technical Manager
for Anglo in Zimbabwe.
membership of the College’s Risk Committee
from its inception until mid-2016. John was
the external examiner for Imperial College’s
M.Sc. program in Minerals and Energy
Finance.
Lastly, throughout his rich career, John has
continually taken on a special mentoring role
to creative and energetic young men and
women, encouraging them to play a
leadership role in mining – particularly in
areas related to environment and sustainable
development – opening their eyes to
long-term careers that would bring
constructive change and improvement to the
mining and metals industry.
Specialties
• Mining and Sustainable Development
Leadership
• Safety, Health and Environmental
Management in the Mining Sector
• Mining and developing economies
Experience
Dr Groom (Left) receives the Medal of Excellence from
the President of the Instutute of Materials, Minerals and
Mining, Dr Richard Dolby
He transferred to Minorco in London in 1991
as Group Metallurgist and created the new
SHE (Safety, Health & Environment) portfolio
shortly thereafter. Following the merger of
Anglo American and Minorco, and the
former’s move of its primary stock exchange
listing to London, John became responsible
to the Executive and a main Board
Committee of Anglo American plc for
Corporate SHE policy and strategy.
John semi-retired from his role as Head of
Safety, Health and Environment in the
Sustainable Development team in December
2007 after which he served for seven years
as Safety and Sustainable Development
Adviser.
In other industry related roles, John was
Chairman of the Camborne School of Mines
Trust for eight years from 1999–2007 and
remains a Trustee. He has also been a
member of the Court of Imperial College and
served for eight years on their Health and
Safety Committee. This was succeeded by
• Anglo American – Safety and Sustainable
Development Adviser (2008-2014)
• Represented Minorco and Anglo American
on the Executive Committees of Euromines
and Eurometaux.
• Represented Anglo American on the
Principal Liaisons’ Committee of the
International Council on Mining and Metals.
• Delivered Business Integrity (anti-bribery)
training to management across the Anglo
American group 2010/11 (roughly 2,000
people)
• Chairman's Associate, Coal Indu stry
Advisory Board (May 2009 – November
2010). In this role he supported the Chairman
of the Board and liaised closely with the IEA.
The CIAB represents the Coal industry in its
contribution to the International Energy
Agency' work on Energy Security. A major
focus for the Board is on energy efficiency,
clean coal technology and carbon capture
and storage. Members are nominated by their
Governments.
• Chief Operating Officer – International
Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), April –
September 2008 (six months)
• Anglo American – Head of Safety Health
and Environment, 1999-2007 (eight years)
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