News

June 2, 2010

For Immediate Release

The Copper Club, Inc. to Honor Diego Hernandez with Prestigious “ANKH Award”

New York, NY (June 2, 2010) – Today, The Copper Club, Inc. will honor Diego Hernandez, president of BHP Billiton Base Metals as the 2010 recipient of the Ankh Award, naming him Copper Man of the Year in recognition of his strong leadership at BHP Billiton and in the global mining industry. The award will be presented at The Copper Club’s Annual Dinner at Guastavino’s in New York City.

According to The Copper Club’s Chairman, Arthur Miele, the Board selected Diego Hernandez to receive the ANKH award “in reflection of his outstanding contribution to the copper industry, both nationally and internationally, and for his dedication and service to the industry, which spans more than 30 years.” Added Miele, “accomplishments that led to Mr. Hernandez's selection include his role in helping build BHP Billiton into a world-class copper producer, the successful construction, development and startup of the giant Collahuasi copper project in Chile, and the growth of CVRD’s Non Ferrous division in Brazil, which included the development and start-up of its copper business. He is a dedicated and valuable global industry partner and we are honored to present him with this award.”

The Copper Club Inc., the leading organization for networking, educational grants and events for those who support the copper industry, will bring together hundreds of guests at their Annual Dinner to salute Diego Hernandez. The prestigious Ankh Award has been bestowed every year since 1962 to a professional who has positively impacted the copper industry. The Copper Club will also announce the 2010 recipients of their Educational Grants Program, which assists exceptional students in preparing for careers in fields related to maintenance and expansion of the copper industry. Each grant is $10,000 and is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

"It is a great honor to be recognized by The Copper Club, an institution that includes so many players in the industry across diverse regions of the world,” said Hernandez. “This is a recognition that I share with my family who has accompanied me in this professional journey through various countries over 35 years. It is recognition to my past and present colleagues, the BHP Billiton Executive and Base Metals teams, as they have been fundamental to the achievements that The Copper Club attributes to me. This award is also recognition for my country, Chile, which has become the most important copper producer in the world. I have always been proud to work in the copper mining industry, as copper is a key element in many industries, and therefore, fundamental to the development of society. I am also witness of the great possibilities the mining industry opens to the host countries where we work. I am grateful and humbled to have my name added to the list of distinguished recipients of this award."

This May, Hernandez was named CEO of Chile’s state copper giant, Codelco, where he will replace previous CEO, Jose Pablo Arellano. Prior to Codelco, Hernandez was appointed president of BHP Billiton Base Metals CSG and a member of the BHP Billiton executive committee in March 2004.  Hernandez is a career mining executive with more than 30 years of experience primarily in copper and other non ferrous metals. His career has involved working for major mining companies including Rio Tinto, Anglo American and CVRD and has covered technical, operating and development roles.

In addition, being held in New York City during the week of the popular Copper Club Annual Dinner, will be the spring meetings for the Copper Development Association and the International Copper Association, as well as Metal Bulletin Events’ 23rd International Copper Conference, which has established itself as a key forum for expert insight.  Conference topics will include the commoditization of copper and its health to the industry, to what secondary copper can bring to the supply side.

About The Copper Club
The Copper Club was formed in 1944 to convene all participants in the copper industry. It is comprised of copper producers, fabricators, refiners, dealers, traders and merchants. The Copper Club seeks to promote the interests of the copper industry. By honoring those who have forged pathways in the industry and paving new paths for students working toward careers in the industry, The Copper Club ensures the past, present and future of copper.