Former Gemfields Chairman Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82

Brian Gilbertson, former chairman of Gemfields, died aged 82 on December 17 after a long illness, the company said last week.

Gilbertson stepped down as chairman and director of the company in 2019. His son, Sean, joined the company in 2017 and became CEO in 2018.

As CEO of Billiton in 2002, Gilbertson helped merge the company with BHP to become the world’s largest mining company at the time. He worked for BHP Billiton and its preceding companies for over 32 years. In 2003, he resigned from the mining giant.

Gilbertson received the Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award in 1998 for his unique and outstanding contribution to the South African mining industry.

He died in his home in South Africa surrounded by family.

Image: Brian Gilbertson. (BHP)