Keep up with the latest executive movements across the mining sector, featuring BCI Minerals, Australian Strategic Materials, Red River Resources and more.
****
BCI Minerals managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) Alwyn Vorster will step down from his position by the end of 2022 after more than six years in the role.
Vorster was CEO of Iron Ore Holdings for four years until BCI purchased the company in 2014, before being appointed as BCI CEO in May 2016. He has led the company through a period of great change, including the development of the flagship Mardie salt and potash project from acquisition to commencement of construction.
“It has been a privilege leading BCI’s progress, from iron ore exploration to our current flagship Mardie salt and potash project,” Vorster said in a statement.
“During the transition period, I look forward to working with the BCI team to manage this period of industry headwinds.
“I am confident that we have created the building blocks for BCI to have a successful future and am grateful for the support provided by our major shareholders, the board and BCI’s employees, and other important stakeholders.”
Mardie is a potential Tier 1 project located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Main construction of Mardie commenced in early 2022.
***
David Woodall has stepped down as managing director and CEO of Australian Strategic Materials (ASM).
ASM chair Ian Gandel thanked Woodall for his contribution, particularly in laying the foundations for the company to take advantage of the global demand for critical minerals.
During Woodall’s tenure, ASM has delivered a strong optimisation study for the Dubbo project in NSW, acquired innovative metallisation technology, constructed its first metals plant in South Korea, and signed an engineering, procurement and construction definition contract with Hyundai Engineering.
Woodall will be replaced by ASM chief operating officer Rowena Smith, a highly experienced global mining executive. In her first year with ASM, Smith led the Dubbo project team, which included work for the optimisation study released in December 2021.
She also led the construction and commissioning of the South Korean metals plant.
Smith has almost 30 years of global mining experience in various senior roles at companies such as South32, Rio Tinto and BHP for Nickel West.
***
Red River Resources managing director and CEO Mel Palancian has stepped down for personal reasons, although he will temporarily remain in the role to ensure an orderly transition to his replacement.
In his past seven years at Red River, Palancian helped transform the company from a developer and explorer into a multi-asset and multi-commodity producer.
Red River chair Brett Fletcher said there had been many challenges over the past few years, not least operating across three states during COVID restrictions.
“Mel’s experience and leadership has been pivotal to providing the company with a platform for growth over the coming decades,” he said.
Palancian said he was proud of the progress the team had made, with the development and commencement of production at Thalanga and the subsequent acquisition and development of Hillgrove, both in Queensland.
***
Allkem has made a raft of new appointments, adding Karen Vizental as chief sustainability and external affairs officer, James Connolly as chief project development officer, and Christian Barbier as chief sales and marketing officer, among others.
With extensive experience in multinational organisations such as Unilever, Vizental will lead corporate sustainability activities, including Allkem’s journey to net-zero emissions by 2035.
Connolly has extensive operating and project development experience in the resources sector, including holding senior positions with Vale Base Metals and Barrick Gold Corporation.
***
Gateway Mining has welcomed highly experience mining executive Deb Fullarton as its non-executive chair. She replaces Trent Franklin, who stepped into the role in early 2022.
A Gateway director since 2018, Fullarton was CEO of Westgold Resources for four years until her resignation in May 2022.
Gateway has also announced the appointment of Peter Lester as a non-executive director. Franklin will revert back to a non-executive director role.
Gateway managing director Mark Cossom said Fullarton and Lester would add considerable expertise as the company develops its 449,000-ounce Gidgee gold project in WA.