Last checked at 31 Oct 2022 07:00
Trading Symbols
AIM: UFO
FWB: I3A1
31st October 2022
Alien Metals Ltd
("Alien" or "the Company")
Significant Senior Management appointment for IOCA strengthens team and Company
Alien Metals Ltd (LSE AIM:UFO), a global minerals exploration and development Company, is delighted to announce the appointment of Troy Whittaker as Chief Executive Officer of its wholly owned subsidiary, Iron Ore Company of Australia Pty Ltd ("IOCA").
Troy is an executive with more than 20 years of experience, spanning successful international evaluation, development and the operation of multi-billion dollar assets, globally, across a broad range of commodities, including iron ore. He has a proven track record of leadership specialising in commercial management, project delivery & supply chain planning in dynamic environments.
Troy has held senior leadership roles with major global mining companies such as Fortescue Metals Group Ltd, Sirius Minerals PLC and Anglo American UK. At Anglo American UK he was responsible for ensuring the delivery and execution of the mine site development to the required programme, specification and budget as part of their US$4.8 billion investment at the Woodsmith polyhalite Project. Prior to this, at Sirius Minerals PLC, before its Anglo American takeover in 2020, Troy, as Commercial Director, was responsible for negotiating complex contracts for the Woodsmith development as well as the management of all commercial aspects, contracts, procurement, logistics and supply chain activities. In addition, he played a key role in the project interface with financing efforts.
At Fortescue Metals Group Ltd in Australia, the worlds fourth largest iron ore producer, he worked for over seven years managing special projects as well as the commercial and procurement functions for the strategic and operational contracts, which included mining contracts in excess of A$750 million, including the US$3.5 billion Solomon project and phase 1 of the US$750 million Iron Bridge project.
Most recently, Troy led the Group Commercial and Strategy division for ASX listed Strandline Resources. As part of the executive team responsible for delivering the Coburn heavy minerals Project, Troy was responsible for all commercial transactions across the group including the company's Tanzanian assets and overall growth strategy.
Roderick McIllree, Chairman of Alien Metals, commented:
"With the Hancock Iron Project moving quickly towards production, having someone of Troy's calibre in place to manage all these moving parts is crucial. Troy brings important skills that will ensure an efficient and timely start-up of the mine as we finalise the last outstanding permits for production. He will provide additional management of logistics including contractor selection, mining, transport and ultimately first export of our ore out through Utah Point in Port Headland in 2023. I am confident that we could not have found a better suited person for this role. His experience in operational start-ups, contract and commercial management in Australian iron ore alone speaks for itself. This is a great appointment for shareholders and I welcome him aboard, his proven track record and expertise in project delivery is aligned with the Company's strategic goals, and with expected further appointments expected shortly I look forward to working with Troy and building the team that will deliver on our stated goals."
Troy Whittaker, CEO of Iron Ore Company of Australia Pty Ltd, commented:
"I am honoured and excited to be appointed as CEO of IOCA at such a pivotal time in its evolution. Having completed my own due diligence on the assets, I have no doubt that the skillset I have obtained throughout my career leave me well positioned to, together with my new colleagues, take the near-term production Hancock, and the rest of our portfolio to their next stages, and to provide further value to Alien's stakeholders.
"I look forward to working environment with the Alien team."
For further information please visit the Company's website at www.alienmetals.uk, or contact:
Alien Metals Limited
Rod McIllree, Executive Chairman
Bill Brodie Good, CEO
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7138 3204
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nomad)
James Biddle / Roland Cornish
www.beaumontcornish.com
Tel: +44 (0) 207 628 3396
WH Ireland Ltd (Joint Broker)
Harry Ansell / Katy Mitchell
Tel +44 (0) 207 220 1666
Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited (Joint Broker)
Andrew Thacker / James Pope
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3657 0050
BlytheRay (Financial PR)
Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7138 3204
Notes to Editors
Alien Metals Ltd is a mining exploration and development Company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE: UFO). The Company's focus is on delivering a profitable, long life direct shipping iron ore operation based out of the Pilbara in Northwest Australia. In 2019, the Company acquired 51% of the Brockman and Hancock Ranges high-grade (Direct Shipping Ore) iron ore projects and has an option in place to move to 90%.
The Company acquired 100% of the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project, which consists of the Elizabeth Hill Historic Silver Mine Mining Lease and the 115km2 exploration tenement around the mine.
In March 2022 the Company acquired 100% of the former joint venture interest in the Munni Munni Platinum Group Metals and Gold Project in the West Pilbara, Western Australia, one of Australia's major underexplored PGE and base metals projects. Munni Munni holds a historic deposit containing 2.2Moz 4E PGM: Palladium, Platinum, Gold, Rhodium.
The Company also holds silver, copper and base metal projects in various locations around the world however is currently looking at the best way to divest these for the benefit of shareholders.