The reorganization also coincides with the scrapping of BHP’s uranium division and the subsequent moving of its massive Olympic Dam operation to the care of the base metals division.

A BHP spokeswoman told ILN sister publication MiningNews.net that uranium division president Dean Dalla Valle would take up the role of energy coal president, replacing Maxwell, who resigned for personal reasons.

The transition is expected to be completed by March 31, 2013.

The company said this morning it would transfer the Olympic Dam mine from its uranium division to its Base Metals Customer Sector Group.

“The announcement follows decisions in August this year to investigate an alternative, less capital-intensive design of the Olympic Dam open-pit expansion and to sell the Yeelirrie uranium asset in Western Australia to Cameco Corporation,” BHP said.

The decision to shelve the $20 billion Olympic Dam expansion in August came less than a week before BHP announced the $A411.3 million Yeelirrie sale.

The company said the Olympic Dam move would consolidate the management of the next phase of studies for the open pit expansion, align with its cost control strategy and position Olympic Dam to support its long-term copper strategy.

Under the new structure, Darryl Cuzzubbo will continue as asset president Olympic Dam, reporting to Base Metals president Peter Beaven for all operational matters.

Cuzzubbo has also been appointed as president South Australia, reporting to chief executive non-ferrous Andrew Mackenzie for SA government matters.

“He will also have responsibility for BHP Billiton’s ongoing participation in the uranium industry globally,” the company said.

Today’s news tops off a year of streamlining for BHP, with the company moving its former stainless steel materials and aluminium customer sector groups into a single division, named aluminium and nickel.

BHP shares last traded 0.8% higher at $A34.575.