Perth, Australia – 23 July 2024 | Zenith Minerals Limited (ASX: ZNC) ("Zenith" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of highly experienced mining executive Mr. Andrew Smith as the Company’s new Managing Director, effective 31 July 2024.
Key Highlights:
- Andrew Smith Appointed as Managing Director: Andrew Smith, former CEO of British Lithium, will join Zenith as Managing Director on 31 July 2024.
- Industry Expertise: Smith has 15 years of experience in mining, ranging from early-stage discovery to feasibility studies and project development across Australia, Africa, Europe, and the UK.
- Proven Success in Mining Sector: At British Lithium, Smith led the discovery of a world-class lithium deposit in the UK, developed patented technology for lithium mica beneficiation, and secured a major partnership with IMERYS.
With a proven track record, Andrew’s most recent success was as CEO of British Lithium, which he founded in 2017. British Lithium discovered a world-class lithium deposit in the UK. Andrew ran handson, the exploration and evaluation work and developed innovative (now patented) technology for the commercial beneficiation of lithium mica, which had never been previously achieved. He built up the owner’s team, and over several years developed and perfected a sustainable process for production of battery grade lithium carbonate, designing and building an end-to-end pilot plant in 2021. In 2023 he ran a due diligence process which resulted in a multinational partner, IMERYS, acquiring an 80% interest in the project. IMERYS is a world leading supplier of speciality minerals for industry and has committed to complete the feasibility and build the full-scale project incorporating Andrew’s technical innovations.
Andrew has 15 years’ experience in the mining industry ranging from early-stage discovery through to feasibility studies and development projects around the world, including Australia, Africa, Czech Republic and most recently the UK. He has worked for a range of medium to large scale corporations including British Lithium, Cominco Resources Limited, European Metals, Equatorial Resources Limited and Rio Tinto Limited.
A Bachelor of Engineering & Bachelor of Commerce with First Class Honours from Sydney University underpins Andrew’s formal education. He has also studied at the National Institute of Space in Virginia.
Zenith Non-Executive Director, Andrew Grove, commented:
“On behalf of the Company and shareholders, I’m delighted that Andrew has joined us as the new Managing Director to drive the business forward. His recent commercial success at British Lithium and in-depth technical knowledge of lithium resources, processing and downstream conversion will be invaluable in unlocking the potential of Zenith’s current project portfolio. With his advanced stage project experience and expertise, Andrew is capable of leading Zenith in a new and exciting direction to provide shareholder value. We look forward to working with Andrew and welcome him to Zenith.”
Commenting on his appointment new Managing Director, Andrew Smith, said:
“Zenith has a remarkable portfolio of tenements that demonstrate significant promise, covering key commodities such as lithium, gold, and base metals. I am eager to continue the strong foundational work led by Mick Clifford, with a view to developing these assets to their full potential. With the gold price at near all-time highs, the near-term priority is advancing the Company’s gold projects, particularly Red Mountain in Queensland and Dulcie Far North in Western Australia, whilst the Western Australian lithium portfolio is our long-term focus. I look forward to working with the team to unlock the value of Zenith's projects and lead the Company into an exciting new chapter.”
In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 3.16.4, the material terms of Mr Smith’s employment are set out in Annexure A.
Mr Smith will take over the role currently held by Mr Michael Clifford who will retire as Managing Director. To ensure that corporate and technical knowledge is retained and enable an effective and smooth transition, Mr Clifford will remain available to the Company in a consultative capacity.
The Board of Zenith would like to thank Mr Clifford for his >10 years of service to the Company and wish him well with his future endeavours. Upon joining Zenith Minerals Limited, in 2014, as the Managing Director, Mr Clifford was instrumental in securing ground and partners that resulted in the Earaheedy Zinc, Rio Lithium and Dulcie Far North Gold discoveries, all three mineral resources in Western Australia. In addition, under his stewardship the Company has also discovered the Waratah Well lithium zone in Western Australia, the Red Mountain gold discovery in Queensland and, with Turkish partners, the Kavaklitepe gold discovery in Turkey. He was instrumental in identifying the early mineral staking opportunity in Wyoming USA, that was subsequently divested by Zenith to American Rare Earths, that has grown to become the Halleck Creek rare earth deposit.
About us:
About Zenith Minerals Limited:
Zenith Minerals Limited (ASX:ZNC) is an Australian-based minerals exploration company leveraged to the increasing global demand for metals critical to the production processes of new energy industrial sectors. The Company currently has two 100% owned, key lithium projects in Western Australia (The Split Rocks Lithium Project and The Waratah Well Lithium Project). The Company also has two high priority gold projects in Australia (The Red Mountain Gold Project and The Dulcie Far North Gold Project). In addition to these projects the Company retains a 25% free carried interest (to end bankable feasibility study) on the Earaheedy Zinc discovery, in Western Australia, with Rumble Resources Limited (ASX:RTR).
Contact details:
Jane Morgan
Investor and Media Relations
+61 258 619 317
[email protected]
