5 Jan 2022 07:00
BlueRock Diamonds PLC / AIM: BRD / Sector: Natural Resources
5 January 2022
BlueRock Diamonds PLC ('BlueRock' or the 'Company')
Director Changes
BlueRock Diamonds PLC, the AIM listed diamond producer, announces that Gus Simbanegavi is stepping down from his board position as Chief Operating Officer of the Company and CEO of the Company's subsidiary, Kareevlei Mining, to pursue other business interests effective 1 March 2022. Meiring Burger, who has worked alongside Mr. Simbanegavi since May 2021, will assume the role of CEO of Kareevlei Mining, overseeing the recently commissioned one million tonne per annum ('Mtpa') plant at the Company's Kareevlei Diamond Mine ('Kareevlei') in the Kimberley region of South Africa.
Mr. Burger is an internationally experienced mining industry professional with more than 25 years' technical and managerial experience combined with applicable commercial acumen and a track record of delivering value safely and responsibly. He has led major, ultra-class open pit operations up to 150Mtpa with labour forces of in excess of 6,000 people in the Southern African region, and has solid experience in all aspects of exploration, mining operations, mine valuation and environmental management.
Mr Burger has held senior positions at various companies including mining contractor, African Mining Solutions and First Quantum Minerals Ltd, where amongst other roles, he focused on turning around the open pit Sentinel Copper Mine in Zambia.
Mike Houston Chairman said, "We are delighted to welcome Meiring to the team as CEO of Kareevlei, whose experience in mine and plant management will enhance the management of Kareevlei. He has the advantage of having a good understanding of Kareevlei and brings strong leadership qualities at a crucial time as the team faces the ongoing and uncertain challenges of Covid alongside the move to ramp up production at the new processing facility during the wet season.
"I am pleased to report that the mine reopened on 3 January 2022 as expected with almost all of our staff returning to work.
"I would like to thank Gus for his work and commitment to BlueRock over what has been a very challenging period yet has still seen the Company continue to drive its growth strategy; on behalf of his fellow directors and employees, I wish him every success in his future endeavours."
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ('MAR'). Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service ('RIS'), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
**ENDS**
For further information, please visit BRD's website www.bluerockdiamonds.co.uk or contact:
BlueRock Diamonds PLC Mike Houston David Facey, FD |
mhouston@bluerockdiamonds.co.uk d.facey@bluerockdiamonds.co.uk |
SP Angel (NOMAD and Broker) Stuart Gledhill / Caroline Rowe |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3470 0470 |
St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial PR) Isabel de Salis / Oonagh Reidy |
bluerock@stbridespartners.co.uk |
Notes to editors:
BlueRock Diamonds is an AIM-listed diamond producer which operates the Kareevlei Diamond Mine near Kimberley in South Africa which produces diamonds of exceptional quality and ranks in the top ten in the world in terms of average value per carat. The Kareevlei licence area covers 3,000 hectares and hosts five known diamondiferous kimberlite pipes with a combined inferred resource of 10.4 million tonnes / 516,200 carats (February 2021); based on its planned production of 1 million tonnes per annum, this provides a minimum 10-year life of mine.