The former chief executive of Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Zimplats), Roy Pitchford, is to become the boss of Southern African Resources (SAR).

Mr Pitchford, who boasts more than 20 years experience in senior management roles, has been appointed chief executive of the London-listed mineral exploration company, the Financial Gazette reports.

SAR has a number of declared PGM interests across Southern Africa including the Leeuwkop concession in South Africa and the Molopo Farms Project in Botswana.

SAR chairman Phil Edmonds welcomed Mr Pitchford's appointment, suggesting that his experience and technical expertise would help SAR to progress successfully with its current projects.

"By adding genuine experience and expertise to our board, we feel we are in an even stronger position to maximise the opportunities available to the company and realise our ambitions of becoming a genuinely significant participant in the PGM sector," Mr Edmonds stated.