Core Lithium has announced that its Board has appointed a new CEO, effective 4 June 2024.
The company said that the appointment of Paul Brown is the result of a thorough recruitment process initiated by the Board conducted by the executive search firm Derwent after the departure of Core’s Chief Executive Officer, Gareth Manderson.
Mr Brown’s previous experience spans 25 years in the Australian resources industry. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Hastings Technology. Before joining Hastings, Paul spent eight years at Mineral Resources, including the position of Chief Executive Officer Lithium and Iron Ore, where he was responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the company’s iron ore and lithium operations.
Core Lithium said Mr Brown’s mining expertise provides deep knowledge of the strategic and operational issues facing Core Lithium at the Finniss Lithium Project.
Core Lithium’s Chair, Greg English, said, “Paul is an outstanding executive with 25 years’ experience in the Australian mining industry and a proven track record of operating and delivering across different commodities.
“Paul’s lithium mining and operations experience makes him the ideal person to lead Core Lithium as we prepare to restart mining at Finniss in a cost efficient and sustainable way.
“The Board’s priorities in selecting a new CEO were identifying someone with lithium mining experience who will consider all options for the restart of mining operations to guide Core’s activities in response to the low price lithium environment.
“We are looking forward to the next chapter under Paul’s leadership and, on behalf of my fellow Directors, we welcome Paul to Core and look forward to working alongside him in the years ahead.”
Mr Brown said that he was honoured to have the opportunity to lead Core Lithium.
“Core Lithium is an excellent company with the potential to grow into a significant lithium company. I will focus on an operational review of the Finniss Lithium Project and the opportunities for the exploration program to grow resources.
“I look forward to working with the Core Lithium senior team to transform the way we work as we look to continually improve and develop a sustainable lithium project.
“I will bring my passion for continuous improvement, high performance and a strong focus on customers. I am looking forward to joining the talented team at Core.”
Mr English also acknowledged the contribution of Interim CEO, Doug Warden.
“Doug has led our company with passion and commitment through the transition and focused on safely delivering results aligned to shareholder and stakeholder expectations.
“Under Doug’s leadership over the past three months, our Finniss Lithium Project has operated as planned in a challenging environment, and our exploration program has been refined.
“Doug will work closely with Paul to ensure a smooth transition.
“In keeping with Core Lithium’s focus on costs and cash conservation, Doug will leave the company in early July.
“James Virgo, the current Interim Chief Financial Officer, will continue in that role in the foreseeable future. James has over ten years’ financial reporting experience, commenced his career at Ernst & Young and prior to joining Core Lithium, spent four years at Resolute Mining Limited where he was General Manager of Finance and Investor Relations.”
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