Corazon Mining (ASX:CZN) has appointed experienced executive, Rob Curtis, as non-executive chairman to support the company in its transition from explorer to developer.
Curtis has over 30 years’ experience in exploration, business development, and resources investment, playing a significant role in the early days of Oxiana.
He was heavily involved in the acquisition of the Sepon Project at Oxiana, which became a foundation asset that underpinned the company’s growth.
Oxiana evolved from holding a $30 million market capitalisation into OZ Minerals and its subsequent acquisition by mining giant BHP Group (ASX:BHP) for around $9.6 billion.
Corazon Managing Director Simon Coyle says Curtis played a “key role” in the growth stage of Oxiana to OZ Minerals, before the major acquisition.
“That experience is highly relevant to Corazon as we execute our Western Australian gold strategy and progress the Chalice Project towards development, while continuing to advance the broader opportunities across our portfolio,” Coyle says.
“Rob brings a proven track record of building value in the resources sector and has first-hand experience of taking a company from an early-stage explorer through to a globally recognised resources business.”
Aside from his involvement with Oxiana and OZ Minerals, Curtis has also worked with CRA/Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and EMR Capital, a specialist resources private equity manager.
At Corazon, Curtis is joining the team after the company acquired the Chalice Gold Project in the Higginsville district of Western Australia from Westgold Resources (ASX:WGX).
The acquisition was completed in early July 2026, with the acquisition consideration comprising a $250,000 cash deposit, $8 million cash, and the issuance of 47.6 million shares.
Earlier this month, Corazon extended its landholding at the newly acquired project. The company entered a binding agreement with Dynamic Metals (ASX:DYM) to secure tenure and gold rights surrounding Chalice.
“Corazon has undergone a significant transformation over the past 12 months and is now entering an important phase in its evolution from explorer to gold developer,” Coyle adds.
“The appointment of Rob as chair brings additional depth of experience and leadership to the board at an important time for the company.
“His track record in building resources businesses and creating shareholder value will be an important asset as Corazon enters its next phase of growth.”
The new director
Incoming Chairman Rob Curtis describes Corazon as having quietly and judiciously assembled a “Western Australian gold portfolio that is well ahead of where the market has it priced”.
“Chalice gives the company a resource base and near-term drilling leverage in a proven district, and Two Pools and Feather Cap provide genuine discovery optionality behind it,” Curtis says.
“The opportunity here is to convert a good asset portfolio into a properly valued company, and that comes down to execution and capital discipline.
“I look forward to working with Simon and the team to deliver that for shareholders.”
Curtis holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in geology, from the School of Mines at the University of Ballarat, graduating with first class honours.
He was also a recipient of a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).
AusIMM offers a range of prestigious scholarships that help students fund undergraduate and postgraduate tertiary programs, offering up to $20,000 in the first year.
Australian citizens and permanent residents enrolled in mining-related programs at Australian universities are eligible to apply.
Scholarships available for undergraduate students include the Education Endowment Fund. This scholarship covers a mentor program, where scholars are matched with an industry mentor tailored to their talents, aptitude, and interests, valued at $5,000, as well as financial support up to $15,000 to support costs during their studies.
Scholars also attend an all-expenses paid one-week intensive field trip to a mineral-rich region and engage with AusIMM to establish networks and professional associations.
Alongside his new role at Corazon, Curtis is also acting as non-executive director for Altair Minerals (ASX:ALR).
He was appointed to this role in December 2025. At the time, he was still serving as EMR Capital’s investment director.
During his time with EMR Capital, Curtis was involved with transactions for resources companies such as Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR); IMX Resources, now known as Indiana Resources (ASX:IDA); Toro Energy, which was acquired by IsoEnergy (TSE:ISO) in June 2026; Beadell Resources; Royalco Resources, which was acquired by Fitzroy River (ASX:FZR) in 2020; and Minotaur Resources, which was acquired by Andromeda Metals (ASX:ADN) in 2022.
Curtis’s appointment at Corazon follows the resignation of non-executive chair and director Kristie Young. Young is moving on from these roles to focus on other board commitments.
Corazon Mining is a Western Australian gold explorer and developer. The company’s broader portfolio includes the Lynn Lake Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Sulphide Project in Manitoba, Canada.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Corazon Mining & Altair Minerals
