Cynthia Carroll, the CEO of Anglo American and the recently appointed chair of De Beers, will resign from both companies, Anglo announced.

A De Beers spokeswoman said no timetable has been set to announce a successor. Carroll took over the role of De Beers chairman only earlier in October.

The New Jersey–born Carroll, 55, had served as CEO since March 2007. A former geologist, she was the first woman and non-native of South Africa to head the company. In August, Anglo officially took control of 85 percent of its former sister company De Beers; it had previously owned 45 percent of the company.

Carroll will remain in her post until a successor has been appointed and an appropriate transition has taken place, a statement said.

In an interview posted on website Cantos.com, Anglo chairman Sir John Parker said, “This is very much Cynthia’s decision to step down as she approaches her seventh year as chief executive of the Group. It is a very tough and grueling job and the board have accepted this.”

Carroll issued her own statement: “It has been a great honor to lead Anglo American. I feel that the time will be right to hand over to a successor who can build further on the strong foundations we have created.”

Carroll is also chairman of Anglo American Platinum; she will relinquish that position as well.

JCK