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The article focuses on Lazarus Zim, an executive at Anglo American mining company with headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr Zim has just become the first black boss of Anglo American's South African operations. He reports only to the global boss of Anglo American, his compatriot Tony Trahar. The parent firm, listed both in London and Johannesburg, recently reported a rise in earnings of 59%, or $2.7 billion. Mr Zim sits atop a collection of South African firms--Anglo Gold Ashanti, Anglo Platinum, Anglo Coal and others--that last year contributed over a quarter of Anglo American's worldwide revenue. He is exactly what the company needs--especially in its efforts to patch up ragged relations with the government. Surveys indicate that mining firms believe other African countries have more welcoming laws. Miners also grumble that they are unsure what royalties the South African government will collect in exchange for licences (previously none were charged). Smoother relations will also probably depend on Anglo American making faster progress with "black economic empowerment". This means, in effect, shifting more wealth and power into black hands, something the government is desperate to speed up. Anglo American wants recognition for unbundling itself a decade ago, when it helped to set up black mining firms such as African Rainbow Minerals and Mvelaphanda Resources.