A LIST of proposed black candidates for the new chairperson of Anglo American Plc includes business magnate and former union leader Cyril Ramaphosa, a government source said yesterday.

A LIST of proposed black candidates for the new chairperson of Anglo American Plc includes business magnate and former union leader Cyril Ramaphosa, a government source said yesterday.

The state wants to have a stronger influence in Anglo, South Africa's biggest mining player, especially now that it is a target of a "merger of equals" proposal from rival Xstrata, said the high-level source, who declined to be named.

Anglo has the bulk of its global workforce in South Africa, and the government wants to avoid any potential job losses. The country has also been trying to redress the exclusion of blacks from the economy under decades of white apartheid rule.

Mining Minister Susan Shabangu confirmed the government wants a black person to replace retiring Anglo chairperson Mark Moody-Stuart, but did not name any candidates.

"Anglo American is rooted in South Africa and is one of the single biggest players in the South African economy," Shabangu said via e-mail.

Other names believed to be on the short list are former deputy finance minister Jabu Moleketi, former Eskom chairperson Valli Moosa, former North West premier Popo Molefe and businessman Sivi Gounden. - Reuters