Keep up with the latest executive movements across the mining sector, featuring Pilbara Minerals, Energy Resources of Australia, Anglo American and more.
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Pilbara Minerals has announced Ken Brinsden will be stepping down as managing director and chief executive officer by the end of 2022 after approximately seven years at the helm.
Brinsden has steered Pilbara Minerals through many challenges amid the lithium undulations. Yet the last 12 months have been an undeniable success.
Pilbara Minerals launched its Battery Material Exchange in 2021 under Brinsden’s watch and the company is positioned to benefit from a rising lithium demand going forward.
The ASX 200 miner delivered its first half-year profit in the back half of 2021, accruing an interim profit after tax of $114 million.
“After many exhilarating and, at times, challenging years at the helm of Pilbara Minerals, the company is now in an excellent position with a strong balance sheet, strong cash-generating capacity from our flagship asset and an exciting suite of growth projects,” Brinsden said.
Pilbara Minerals said it had commenced the search process for the next CEO.
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Brad Welsh has been appointed as the new managing director and chief executive of Rio Tinto subsidiary Energy Resources of Australia (ERA).
From the Muruwari tribe of north-western New South Wales, Welsh presented as an ideal candidate to lead the company in the rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium project in Northern Territory. He had been the acting chief executive of ERA since October.
Welsh has been appointed at a critical juncture for ERA. The company recently added an additional $600 million to the Ranger rehabilitation cost and extended the project’s timeline.
“Brad came highly recommended by Rio Tinto and was selected because of his qualifications, background along with relevant experience and skills, which are all highly complementary to ERA’s existing needs,” Mansell said.
Welsh held several roles at Rio Tinto including chief advisor closure strategy non-managed assets, chief advisor to the CEO – Indigenous Affairs, and acting general manager of the Weipa bauxite operation.
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Ian Tyler has taken over from Byron Grote as the new senior independent director of Anglo American, effective from mid-April.
Appointed as a non-executive director at the beginning of the year, Tyler has been the chair of Vistry Group and served as a non-executive director of BAE Systems since 2013. He will step down from both roles in May.
Marcelos Bastos will fill Grote’s position as the chair of Anglo American’s global workforce advisory panel.
Anglo American chairman Stuart Chambers recognised Grote’s efforts over the nine-year journey.
“We again recognise Byron for his extensive contributions to the board and the committees he chaired and on which he served, and for his tireless commitment to the work of our global workforce advisory panel,” Chambers said.
“I thank Ian Tyler for taking on the senior independent role in addition to his committee duties, and Marcelo Bastos for agreeing to chair our workforce panel – an ever more important interface for us as a board.”
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Boss Energy has welcomed Jan Honeyman as a non-executive director, who arrives after 16 years as First Quantum Minerals’ director of human resources.
Honeyman oversaw 20,000 employees across 11 countries during her time at First Quantum and brings a wealth of experience to Boss as the company looks to elevate its Honeymoon uranium project.
“The uranium market is tightening and we are putting in place the pieces of the jigsaw to ensure we can move into production as quickly as possible once a final investment decision is taken,” Boss chair Peter O’Connor said.
“Jan’s experience at the highest level will be critical as we build our team.”
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Esteemed gold mining executive Raleigh Finlayson has joined Genesis Minerals as its new managing director.
Former managing director of Northern Star Resources and Saracen Mineral Holdings, Finlayson led Genesis’ $20.8 million strategic funding package in September 2021 and has since been providing part-time consulting services to the company.
Finlayson will replace Michael Fowler in the role, who Genesis chair Tommy McKeith said deserves recognition for his achievements.
“Michael has been a highly successful managing director who has positioned Genesis as a significant Western Australia gold company, creating substantial value for our shareholders in the process,” McKeith said.
“His leadership and exceptional geology skills have led to the company establishing a resource of more than 1.6Moz (million ounces) at our Ulysses project, giving us an outstanding foundation on which to continue growing.”