22 Jul 2019 07:00
22 July 2019
Firestone Diamonds plc
("Firestone", the "Group" or the "Company")
Board Changes
Firestone Diamonds plc (AIM: FDI), is pleased to announce that Mr Michael Stirzaker will be joining the Board as a Non-Executive Director, effective 22 July 2019. Mr Stirzaker replaces Mr Niall Young who the Board would like to thank for his valued input as Director, and the role he played in ensuring the successful development of the Liqhobong Diamond Mine in Lesotho.
Mr Michael Stirzaker - Non-Executive Director
Mr Stirzaker has over 30 years' commercial experience, mainly in mining finance and mining investment. He began his career in Sydney as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, having obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town. He moved into investment banking with Wardley James Capel (part of the HSBC Group) and then Kleinwort Benson Limited in London. From 1993 to 2007 he was part of the natural resource advisory and investment firm, RFC Group Limited, where he became Joint Managing Director. He has also been a shareholder and Director of Tennant Metals Pty Limited, a privately-owned physical-metal trader and investor, and was the Finance Director of Finders Resources Limited, an ASX-listed company producing copper in Indonesia. In 2010, Mr Stirzaker joined the private equity mining fund manager, Pacific Road Capital Management as a Partner. The Pacific Road Resources Fund II is a major shareholder of Firestone Diamonds, with Mr Stirzaker appointed as its new nominee on the Firestone Board, replacing Mr Young.
Mr Stirzaker is currently also a Non-Executive Director of Base Resources and Prodigy Gold.
Lucio Genovese, Chairman, commented:
"I am pleased to welcome Mike to the Board of Firestone Diamonds as the replacement nominee of one of our major shareholders. He has extensive mining industry experience which we believe will be invaluable to the Company.
I would also like to thank Niall for his dedication and contribution over the past five years and wish him the best in his future endeavours."
For more information please visit: www.firestonediamonds.com or contact:
Firestone Diamonds plc | +44 (0)20 8741 7810 |
Paul Bosma |
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Grant Ferriman |
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Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited (Nomad and Broker) Nick Stamp Alex Reynolds
| +44 (0)20 3037 2000 |
Tavistock (Public and Investor Relations) | +44 (0)20 7920 3150 |
Jos Simson |
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Gareth Tredway |
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Annabel de Morgan |
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Background information on Firestone
Firestone is an international diamond mining company with operations in Lesotho. Firestone commenced commercial production in July 2017 at the Liqhobong Diamond Mine. Liqhobong is owned 75% by Firestone and 25% by the Government of Lesotho. Lesotho is one of Africa's significant new diamond producers, hosting Gem Diamonds' Letšeng Mine, Firestone's Liqhobong Mine, Namakwa Diamonds' Kao Mine and Lucapa's Mothae Mine.
Further regulatory disclosures
Other than as disclosed below, there are no further disclosures to be made in accordance with AIM Rule 17 and paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies:
Name - Michael Henry Stirzaker
Age - 59
Mr. Stirzaker is, or has during the last five years been, a director or partner of the following companies and partnerships:
Current Directorships/Partnerships:
Pacific Road Capital Management Pty Ltd
Base Resources Ltd
Prodigy Gold NL
Stith Pty Ltd
MC Imali Pty Ltd
Grafton Bond Investments Pty Ltd
Past Directorships/Partnerships held in the last 5 years:
n/a
Mr Stirzaker does not currently hold any shares in the Company, although he remains a partner of Pacific Road Capital Management Pty Ltd.
There are no other disclosures to be made under Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules in respect of Mr Stirzaker.