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New BCI and Catalyst bosses: This week’s executive movements

BCI

Keep up with the latest executive movements across the mining sector, featuring FFI, BCI Minerals and Catalyst Metals.

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Former Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner is joining Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) to lead the company’s new northern Australia team, commencing his role in November.

It marks another important step in the delivery of FFI’s global green energy vision. Gunner will bring a wealth of experience and credibility to FFI as the company explores project opportunities in the Northern Territory and WA’s North West.

Gunner has had a highly successful political career, serving as the chief minister of the Northern Territory from 2016 until he stepped down in May. He resigned from politics in July.

Fortescue chair and founder Andrew Forrest said bringing in a person with Gunner’s experience working alongside the people of northern Australia makes him a valuable asset to FFI.

“We see enormous potential in the Northern Territory, with abundant wind and solar energy, and a community enthusiastic to embrace renewable energy and the employment intensive industries that come with it,” he said.

“The industry leading decarbonisation strategy we unveiled in New York in September provided clear evidence that Fortescue is leading the world in its transition to a global, green renewable and resources company.”

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BCI Minerals has appointed former Bravus Mining and Resources chief executive officer (CEO) David Boshoff as its new managing director.

During his time at Bravus, Boshoff led the start-up of the Carmichael coal mine to production. Prior to that, he was general manager at BHP’s Mt Arthur coal and Daunia mines and was a key contributor to the ramp-up of BHP’s Caval Ridge mine.

BCI chair Brian O’Donnell said Boshoff would provide a wealth of experience to the company.

“David is a trusted, respected and highly qualified chief executive with extensive experience in delivering capital projects,” he said.

“He is the right leader to guide BCI during this stage of Mardie’s development and we look forward to working with him.”

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Catalyst Metals has promoted James Champion de Crespigny from non-executive director to managing director.

Previously a director of boutique financial advisory firm Cutfield Freeman & Co, Champion de Crespigny is a qualified chartered accountant with extensive experience in capital markets, financing and mergers and acquisitions, primarily in the mining sector.

The appointment aligns with Catalyst’s strategy to generate the most value out of its current portfolio while also looking to expand the business beyond its current assets.

The company owns the operating Henty gold mine in Tasmania and landholding in the Bendigo goldfields spanning 75km of strike.

Catalyst chair Steve Boston said Champion de Crespigny had the credentials for the top job.

“18 months ago, Catalyst bought the Henty gold mine,” he said. “In the process, Catalyst graduated from explorer to operator. Catalyst is now well advanced on a strategy to revitalise the Henty operations and we are looking to grow our portfolio beyond its current asset base.

“The entire board believes James is highly qualified to guide Catalyst through this next phase in its life cycle.”

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After seven years at the helm, Matt Gill has stepped down as CEO and managing director of White Rock Minerals.

The decision follows on from White Rock achieving first gold production at the Woods Point gold project in Victoria, with the company having achieved several key pillars in its growth strategy under Gill’s stewardship.

Former managing director and CEO of KGL Resources Simon Finniss has been appointed as executive director of White Rock. Finniss brings more than 30 years’ experience in the global mining sector.

White Rock chair Peter Mangano credited Gill for his contribution to the company and said Finniss was a valuable addition.

“He (Finniss) has what we believe to be the ideal experience to assist us as we transition to producer at Woods Point and to assess our other assets,” he said. “He will provide a fresh set of eyes as we strive to achieve the best possible outcome for our shareholders.”

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Westgold Resources has appointed David Kelly as an independent non-executive director and Phillip Wilding as chief operating officer.

Westgold said the appointments came as the company advanced a reset and enhancement of its operational base amid the current challenging macro environment.

Kelly is a highly qualified geologist and mining executive with extensive gold experience across the entire value chain from exploration to development. He has served as a director for the likes of Turaco Gold, Predictive Discovery, Ridge Resources and Renaissance Minerals.

Wilding has been Westgold’s acting chief operating officer since May 2022, where he has played an important role in overseeing operational changes to enable the gold miner to implement long-term cost control measures.

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IGO has welcomed highly experienced mining executive Justin Osborne as an independent non-executive director.

Osborne has more than 30 years’ experience in all aspects of the mining and exploration sector and has held executive positions at the likes of Gold Road Resources, Gold Fields and WMC Resources.

IGO chair Michael Nossa said Osborne was a fantastic addition to the board.

“Justin brings an impressive set of skills, knowledge and experience to the board,” he said. “In particular, he brings strong leadership of exploration projects from grassroots through feasibility and construction to mining and has been recognised by association with multiple industry awards in exploration and deal-making excellence.”

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