Keep up with the latest executive movements across the mining sector, featuring Bellevue Gold, Whitehaven Coal and Forrestania Resources.
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Bellevue Gold has made several executive changes as it prepares for the start of production at its namesake gold project in WA.
Darren Stralow, who has been Bellevue’s chief executive since late 2021, has been promoted to managing director and chief executive officer of the company.
Stralow is a mining engineer with extensive commercial and operational experience. He previously held a number of senior roles at Northern Star Resources, including chief development officer, and led the integration of Northern Star’s Australian business units.
At Bellevue, Stralow has played a major role in ongoing funding activities, including the recent capital raising and debt draw-down.
Bill Sterling has been appointed chief operating officer to assist with the transition.
Sterling is an engineer with previous experience in senior roles at Northern Star. He was general manager at Northern Star’s Jundee gold mine, Kalgoorlie operations, and Bronzewing.
Sterling has served as Bellevue’s general manager since January last year.
“Bellevue is set to start production later this year,” Bellevue chairman Kevin Tomlinson said. “With this in mind, it is the right time to appoint the team who will lead our company into the next highly rewarding phase of its growth and development.
“Darren’s extensive experience on both the operational and commercial fronts means he is perfectly positioned to lead Bellevue. He will be extremely well-supported by Bill Sterling and our wider executive team.”
Stralow’s appointment coincides with managing director Steve Parsons moving to the role of non-executive director.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Steve Parsons for the exceptional job he has done in turning our company from what was not much more than a shell with a mothballed asset into Australia’s next major gold producer.”
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Forrestania Resources has appointed former Firefinch managing director Michael Anderson as managing director and chief executive officer.
During Anderson’s time at Firefinch, the company went from a market capitalisation of approximately $200 million to more than $1.2 billion, elevating the company from junior gold and lithium explorer to gold producer and lithium developer.
This culminated in the successful demerger of Leo Lithium from Firefinch.
With more than 30 years’ resources industry experience in both Australia and Africa, Anderson’s expertise will prove important as Forrestania explores for lithium, gold and nickel at its Forrestania, Southern Cross and Leonora projects.
“Michael’s extensive experience and execution capability will be a fantastic asset to the company going forward,” Forrestania chair John Hannaford said.
“His drive and record of achievement sets him apart in the market. We are privileged that he has agreed to join the company at this pivotal time in our short history as a listed entity, which is testament to the quality and potential of the company’s project portfolio.”
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Whitehaven Coal has welcomed Wallis Graham as an independent non-executive director. She brings with her two decades of experience in various global finance roles, including fund management, corporate finance, private equity and investment banking.
Graham currently chairs the renumeration committee at Sevcorp, a mining engineering company, and holds a senior consulting role with Energy Capital Partners.
She also serves as director of several non-for-profit organisations in education, medical research, and the arts.
“Whitehaven has a demonstrated track record of effective capital management during what has been an extremely dynamic decade for energy market participants,” Graham said.
“The challenge for the business is how it can leverage its strong commercial performance in recent years to deliver continued value for shareholders over the longer term.
“I am looking forward to being able to make a meaningful contribution to this effort.”
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