SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Australian Strategic Materials (ASX: MM) announced the appointment of Mr Chris Jordaan as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective 24 August 2023.

Mr Jordaan joins ASM with 31 years in operational and corporate leadership roles in the petrochemical, processing and mining industries in South Africa, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Prior to accepting the COO role, he was President and CEO of Superior Gold, a gold mining company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. He has also held senior leadership roles within Newcrest Mining, BHP and several South Africa-based companies.

ASM Managing Director and CEO Ms Rowena Smith said she was delighted to have Mr Jordaan take up the COO role and join ASM’s Executive Management team.

“With Stage 1 of our EPC Definition work for our Dubbo Project now complete, and early establishment activities for the project underway, Chris is joining us at a crucial and exciting time in ASM’s operational development.

“Chris has a substantial depth of experience and the leadership qualities required to progress our Dubbo Project, lead the ramp-up of ASM’s Korean Metals Plant and advance our metallisation technologies, particularly our innovative LK Process.

“His skills and experience are perfectly suited to further develop and execute ASM’s mine to metals strategy,” Ms Smith said.

Mr Jordaan takes up the role of COO, which was left vacant following Ms Smith’s appointment to CEO in July 2022.