Mining investment adviser Appian Capital Advisory has expanded its US critical minerals operations with three senior appointments and a Washington, DC presence, as one of its Australian investments faces renewed scrutiny over the proposed Fingerboards mine in Victoria.
Appian has appointed Brian Greeley, formerly of the US Export-Import Bank, as chief financial officer for critical minerals.
Christopher Smith, previously of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), and retired US Navy Rear Admiral John Meier have joined as senior advisers.
The firm says the appointments will support financing, government engagement, and industrial supply arrangements across its critical minerals portfolio, which has approximately US$2.5 billion ($3.58 billion) in planned development capital over the next five years.
The portfolio includes Gippsland Critical Minerals, owner of the proposed Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project in East Gippsland.
The project is undergoing a new Environment Effects Statement after the Victorian Government concluded that an earlier proposal would have unacceptable environmental impacts in 2021.
According to an ABC report, local growers and planning experts have questioned whether the revised proposal differs sufficiently from the rejected project.
Gippsland Critical Minerals CEO Michelle Wood disputes the criticism, saying the company has reduced the proposed mine footprint by 27% and mining rate by 40%.
“We’ve done substantial redesign work over a number of years,” Wood says.
The Victorian Government has yet to decide whether the revised project can proceed. Under the proposal, Fingerboards would produce zircon, titanium minerals, and rare-earth-bearing minerals over a 22-year operating period.
Founded in the UK in 2011, Appian manages approximately US$5 billion in assets and says it has brought 12 mining projects into production since 2016.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Gippsland Critical Minerals
