Gale takes over from Mmetla Masire who held the post for only four months on a temporary basis. The appointment of Gale, a British citizen, means that the position of OLM General Manager has been de-localised after Debswana struggled to replace Sebetela Sebetela who resigned from the post to join Tati Nickel Mine in January 2009. In a statement, Debswana says Gale's appointment follows an extensive recruitment process that included several interviews in which citizen and expatriate candidates were assessed.
The statement says having worked in many senior leadership roles across a number of organisations and industries, Gale brings a wealth of international experience. He started his mining career at Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines, then moved back to the UK and to work in the Information Technology business in various roles including Operations Director, Group Operations Director and Managing Director. He then returned to mining and metallurgy working at General Manager level in Uganda (KCCL) and Australia (Western Metals) and at Director level at INCO UK Refineries. Gale also held the position of Deputy Managing Director in charge of project construction, completion and commissioning of the US$4 billion Goro Nickel Facility in New Caledonia in the South Pacific.
