SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Metals Australia Ltd (ASX: MLS) announced the appointment of Mr Paul Ferguson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to guide development of the company’s flagship Lac Rainy high-grade graphite project and advance its suite of highly-prospective battery metals exploration projects.

Paul is a well-credentialed and highly experienced mining engineer and resource industry executive with more than 30 years’ experience in the global resources sector.

He has experience in designing, building and operating mining operations across base metals, iron ore, coal and industrial minerals in jurisdictions including North America, Australia and Southeast Asia.

This includes a senior role with Exxon-Mobil in Canada, where he was responsible for leading the design, construction and operation of the Kearl Oil Sands Project in Alberta.

As head of mining, Paul built the oil sands operation from a greenfields project into one of Canada’s largest open pit mines.

On his return to Perth, in 2018, Paul was appointed President (USA) & Executive General Manager for GMA Garnet, the world’s largest producer of industrial garnets.

Paul’s extensive knowledge of North America – where he worked closely with government, landowners and First Nations groups – will be invaluable in advancing Metals Australia’s flagship Lac Rainy high-grade graphite resource in Quebec through the feasibility study stages and into commercial production.

He will also be responsible for advancing the Company’s highly-prospective suite of battery metals exploration projects, including the Warrambie and Manindi projects in Western Australia and the Corvette River lithium project in Quebec.

With cash reserves of A$15.5 million as at the end of the September 2023 Quarter, Metals Australia is well-funded to accelerate its project development and exploration activities under Paul’s guidance.

Chairman Mike Scivolo said: “The Metals Australia board is delighted to have secured such an experienced and well-credentialed mining engineer and executive to develop Lac Rainy and advance its various exploration programs.

“Paul’s track-record of taking major resources projects from the early stages through to development and mining operations will be of enormous value for the Company as we look to unlock the true potential of Lac Rainy and our other lithium and battery metals projects.

“His appointment also underscores the board’s commitment to accelerate the transition from exploration and discovery toward the development and production phases to help meet global demand for the critical minerals needed in the global energy transition.”

Australian Mines appoints new CEO with battery metals expertise