LONDON: Kore Potash Plc, the potash development company with 97% ownership of the Kola and DX Potash Projects in the Sintoukola Basin, located in the Republic of Congo, announced the appointment of Mr J. M. André Baya as Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’) effective from 15 April 2024.

André has over 20 years of experience in the global mining and agriculture sectors and brings significant African experience including having held senior positions for groups with operations in the Republic of Congo.

Immediately prior to joining Kore Potash, André worked as a management consultant, leading the corporate re-engineering of Fraser Alexander (Pty) Ltd.’s African subsidiaries and the corporate development of Fortescue Mining Group’s Belinga iron ore project in Gabon.

Prior to this, André was Country and General Manager for a variety of global mining corporations including Sundance Resources, Cominco, Roxgold, Alliance Mining Commodities, Orezone and Central Copper Resources.

Other notable positions include Chief Operating Officer at Managem Group, the international Moroccan mining group, where he was responsible for the management of the Managem Group’s operations and development projects across eight African nations.

Between 1985 and 2001, André spent 15 years in trade and agriculture, in both technical and managerial roles for industrial chemicals and agrochemicals businesses in Africa and beyond. The position of CEO is a non-Board role.

David Hathorn, Chair of Kore Potash, commented: “To appoint a CEO with André’s experience in both the mining and global agriculture sectors is hugely exciting and, I believe, demonstrates the surefooted ambitions of Kore Potash to become a major potash producer.

“With an impressive background including over two decades on the African continent, he will be pivotal in the development of the Kola and DX projects, and position Kore to supply the world’s agricultural needs and meet the rising demand in the global fertiliser market. André’s deep experience of working in francophone Africa will also enable Kore to develop vital in-country partnerships and derive maximum value for stakeholders.”