Emerald Production Specialist Appointed as Gemfields CEO

1 Mar 2006 17:40

Emerald Production Specialist Appointed as Gemfields CEO Gemfields Resources Plc ("the Company") announces that, by mutual consent, theCEO, Mr. Jeremy Clarke, has resigned with effect from 28 February 2006. He willcontinue to advise the Company in a consultancy capacity for a period of 12months from that date. The board thanks Jeremy for his contribution to theCompany to date and looks forward to the continued benefit of his expertise asa consultant.The board is pleased to advise that Mr. Peter Kitchen (60) will move from hisrole as a non-executive director to become CEO of Gemfields. Peter, a miningengineer, brings a wealth of experience to the position. He has been in Zambiaand Zimbabwe for over 30 years in both mining management and gemstonemarketing.After a good grounding in the copper mining industry in Zambia with AngloAmerican (subsequently ZCCM) he worked for Lonrho Africa for 9 years and wasinvolved in the Kariba Amethyst Operation (now a Gemfields asset). He has alsobeen the CEO of the largest emerald mines in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. He isalso currently a director and partner in one of the foremost contract miningcompanies in Zambia which employs over 1,500 people.Commenting today, Peter Kitchen, CEO, said: "As the CEO of Gemfields mypriority is to aggressively pursue first emerald production by Q3 of this year.The Company is on track to meet that target and I shall be working towardssecuring plant purchase, delivery and commencement of construction over thecoming months. I would like to thank Jeremy for his contribution to the Companyand wish him the best of luck for the future".For further details contact:Laurence Read/ Leesa PetersConduit PRTel: +44 (0) 207 429 6605Mob: +44 (0) 7974 982 512ENDGEMFIELDS RESOURCES PLC