An Australian, he replaces American Cynthia Carroll, who announced in October that she would be standing down after pressure from shareholders.

BBC: Anglo American in platinum production slump

In particular, a U.S. trader cited comments from outgoing Amplats chief executive Cynthia Carroll describing the industry in South African as in crisis.

FORBES: FOCUS: Platinum Climbs To 17-Month High; Market Remains Focused On Supply Worries

Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (JSE: AMS) The big news of the week broke Friday morning as Anglo American chief executive Cynthia Carroll stepped down.

FORBES: AngloGold Ashanti

Anglo American chief executive Cynthia Carroll stepped down Oct. 26 under pressure from shareholders, but that has done little to alleviate the strike.

FORBES: Recap Of The Major Mines Impacted By The South African Mine Strikes

The arrival last year of Anglo American's new chief executive, Cynthia Carroll an American who, unlike her predecessors, was not groomed within the group has also changed the mood within Anglo.

ECONOMIST: Face value

There are currently only two FTSE 100 companies - Burberry and Imperial Tobacco - with female chief executives, after Cynthia Carroll left mining giant Anglo-American and Dame Marjorie Scardino retired from the top job at media firm Pearson last year.

BBC: Vince Cable: Boardrooms need more women

Cynthia Verhave, a 28-year-old Carroll Gardens mother, said that when she gave birth, formula was not pushed at all.

WSJ: One Sure Formula for Controversy