Vedanta Resources plc has appointed Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan as its new chief executive replacing interim CEO Kuldip Kaura. Known by his short name Venkat, he is currently the CEO of Johannesburg-based AngloGold Ashanti Ltd - the world's largest emerging market gold producer. He will assume the new role effective August 31, the company said in a statement. Vedanta had in August last year appointed an interim chief executive, Kaura, to replace Tom Albanese.Albanese, a former chief executive of rival Rio Tinto, returned to the US after his three-year contract, which was extended by five months, expired at the end of August. "My initial focus will be to ensure continued operational excellence, efficient cost management and capital discipline across the portfolio, while continuing to drive improvements to the overall sustainability performance of the business, thereby creating long-term value for all stakeholders," he said. Venkat is a qualified Chartered Accountant who holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Madras.