The Financial Post reports in its Tuesday edition global mining companies are facing a succession crisis. A Reuters dispatch to the Post says a lot of mining executives are nearing retirement age and recruiters worry that there is not enough people with the right skills and experience to replace the old guard. To be sure, some miners have mapped out succession plans, perhaps because they have seen negative investor reactions when popular and long-serving chief executive officers announce their retirement. In a "signal to the market," Primero Mining CEO Joseph Conway, 57, gave up his president title earlier this year. Also, Silver Standard Resources named Paul Benson, 52, as its new CEO effective Aug. 1, with the retirement of John Smith, 58. With many commodities skipping along multiyear lows, mining companies have been forced to delay projects, cut staff and slash costs. That means the next generation of CEOs will need operating expertise more than deal-making or financial acumen to hone efficiencies and sell non-core assets, experts say. There is a limited supply of experienced people who know the industry and who have the capability of getting it out of the very difficult place it is in today.