Venter has also been appointed as COO and board director of Western Resources Corp. He will lead the project team developing the Milestone Potash Phase I project. Prior to joining Western Potash, Venter was Senior Vice President and General Manager for a major EPC company in Canada responsible for its Global Mining & Metallurgy.
Venter brings with him more than 34 years of experience with a number of the biggest international engineering and construction companies in the world, spanning industries including mining and metals, heavy oil, petrochemicals, refineries, power, fertilizer, and chemical industries. Fritz has managed offices and projects of various sizes around the world. He has worked in most areas of engineering, project execution and department and corporate management and connects an in-depth understanding of the actual operations, with the technical engineering and practical construction. He has a Mechanical Engineering background, and holds a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering (operations management) and Master of Project Management.
In those positions Venter has both managed “status quo” businesses as well as transformed existing ones. His vision is to transform the Western Potash Phase I Project into a multi-million tonne potash business, Venter commented: “Western Potash is a unique opportunity to not only build an innovative and environmentally friendly project, but a new business that will revolutionise the global Potash market. More than this I welcome the challenge of brining other projects into the Western Resources portfolio that compliments the vision of connecting Eastern capital with Global projects and markets”.
Bill Xue, President and CEO of Western Resources commented: “We are fortunate and delighted to have Mr. Venter join the team. He is a world-class project leader with unique and strategic vision, extensive project experience, and innovative insights as well as responsible fiscal control ideas that totally aligns with the Company. This appointment sends a clear signal that Western Potash has assembled a competitive project team that consists of experienced professionals and managers in all major project areas. We are confident that Mr. Venter will lead the team to deliver a successful potash project, paving a solid foundation for the preparation of the Milestone Phase II Project”.