Lonmin’s creation of this post and recruitment of Jones, an analyst of 20 years’ standing, most recently with CIBC World Markets, has intensified speculation about potential corporate moves involving Lonmin, either as buyer or seller.

Jones will be based in London and report to Ian Farmer, South Africa-focused Lonmin’s corporate development director, who says ‘Jack’s principal role will be to identify and assess opportunities for Lonmin’s development into other commodities and other countries’. This move follows a strategic review by Lonmin, which was once part of Tiny Rowland’s colourful Lonrho conglomerate.