Keep up with the latest executive movements across the mining sector, including a CEO resignation at Coronado and more.
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Gerry Spindler, chief executive officer (CEO) of Coronado Global Resources, recently announced his retirement, with Douglas Thompson to take the helm.
Spindler will retire from the role after the company’s annual general meeting, set to be held on or around May 25, and then transition to the position of executive chair.
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Mr Spindler for his leadership, outstanding contributions and dedication during his 11 years as Coronado’s chief executive,” Coronado deputy chair and lead independent director William Koeck said.
“We are grateful that he has agreed to stay on as executive chair and assist the board, given his extensive experience and understanding of our growth strategy.
“We are also fortunate to have an executive of Douglas Thompson’s calibre to replace Mr Spindler. The board was unanimous in the decision on Douglas Thompson’s appointment to lead Coronado at a time when we have great momentum and significant growth opportunities.”
Thompson has been the company’s chief operating officer – Australia since September 2021 and has more than 25 years’ experience in the mining industry, including as managing director and chief executive officer of Thiess.
Group CFO Gerhard Ziems will assume an expanded role following the annual general meeting, taking responsibility for all sales and marketing as well as strategic investment activity.
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Chalice Mining has appointed Mike Nelson to the newly-created role of general manager – project development.
Nelson will lead all aspects of the studies and development of the Julimar nickel-copper-platinum group elements (PGE) project in Western Australia, bringing more than 30 years’ experience in operational and project technical leadership roles to the role.
Nelson has been instrumental in leading the development of several mega-projects, including Barrick Gold Corporation’s Reko Diq copper-gold project and Teck Resources’ Quebrada Blanca Phase II.
He was chosen for the Chalice role due to his metallurgy, engineering and project management expertise in large-scale precious and base metals operations.
“Mike’s unique skill-set will be critical in ensuring that the technical foundations for the Julimar project are well laid and that our development plan is de-risked,” Chalice managing director and CEO Alex Dorsch said.
“Given that Julimar is one of the most significant PGE-nickel-copper-cobalt discoveries in recent times, Mike’s experience leading some of the world’s largest recent mega-projects makes him uniquely qualified for the role.”
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Leading global miner Anglo American has appointed Alison Atkinson to the position of group director – projects and developments, and given her a seat on the company’s group management committee.
Atkinson is currently CEO of Atomic Weapons Establishment, a body of the UK Government responsible for developing and maintaining crucial elements of the country’s nuclear deterrent.
She has extensive experience delivering multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and technology projects in support of the UK’s nuclear defence program.
“Alison’s proven experience of leading large technology-based organisations delivering leading edge programs and projects is ideally suited to the phasing and development of our portfolio of major growth operations,” Anglo American chief executive Duncan Wanblad said.
“By integrating our next phase of FutureSmart Mining technologies into those projects and our existing operations, we expect to see further improvements in safety and productivity, with enhanced project economics, while reducing our energy and water intensity.”
For Anglo American, Atkinson’s position is a new one. The company said the role is central to reaching its Sustainable Mining Plan climate targets and ambitions.
Anglo believes it has found a powerful ally in Atkinson, who is not only an industry expert, but shares the company’s vision for cleaner, greener energy, and is also a champion of diversity in her field.
Atkinson is due to officially take up the position in the second quarter of 2023.
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Gabrielle Bell has joined BCI Minerals as a non-executive director.
A corporate lawyer with broad experience working in Australia and South-East Asia, Bell utilises her corporate governance, risk identification and legal transaction skills as a non-executive director in the Australian property sector and the Victorian water sector.
Bell is currently a non-executive director of South East Water Corporation, the chair of iota Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of South East Water Corporation, and a non-executive director of Aware Real Estate Management.
Her appointment coincides with the resignation of Michael Blakiston from the BCI board.
BCI chair Brian O’Donnell said Bell would contribute significantly to BCI’s decision making.