Estrella Resources (ASX:ESR) has announced changes in senior management, supporting the company’s next phase of growth and development for its limestone and manganese operations in Timor-Leste.
The company’s board has confirmed Robert Mencel as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately, with a structured transition to Managing Director by 30 June 2026.
Mencel brings over 25 years experience of leadership in mining, industrial minerals, fertiliser, and logistics across Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. He has extensive experience in CEO and MD roles in various ASX-listed companies and in working with governments, indigenous stakeholders, international offtake partners, and logistics providers.
Mencel succeeds Chris Daws, who is taking up the role of Business Development Officer within the company.
Daws believes that Mencel is the right leader to guide Estrella “at this critical stage in the company’s development”.
“The scale of opportunity in Timor Leste is significant, and I am confident that Robert is the right person to guide these projects through development and into successful long-term operations,” Daws says.
Incoming CEO Robert Mencel has also noted the outstanding work done by Chris Daws and the team to date.
“Estrella’s limestone and manganese exploration success clearly highlights the strong mineral potential of TImor-Leste. These discoveries could underpin significant future resources capable of supporting long-life, low-cost operations, further strengthened by the country’s proximity to key markets,” Mencel says.
“The next phase will focus on the disciplined evaluation of these discoveries, engagement with potential customers, and the development of commercially robust, long-term operations to drive sustainable shareholder value.”
Estrella is currently also recruiting for additional key technical and operational roles to support the company’s activities in Timor-Lests.
Estrella is exploring and developing manganese assets in Timor-Leste and Western Australia.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Estrella Resources
