Africa-focused gold miner Firefinch (ASX:FFX) has announced a series of director appointments as it gears up production at its substantial Morilla Gold Mine in Mali.
New directors Naomi Scott and Liz Wall are described by the company as bringing ‘deep’ African mining experience, with previous cross-jurisdiction roles involving community, environment, people, governance, permitting, operations and transactions.
In addition, director Brendan Borg will depart Firefinch to take a board position at spinoff Leo Lithium.
Speaking on the appointments, Firefinch Chairman Dr Alistair Cowden said: “We are delighted to welcome Liz and Naomi to the Firefinch Board, their skills bring an extra dimension to an already strong Board.
“We are delighted to welcome Liz and Naomi to the Firefinch Board, their skills bring an extra dimension to an already strong Board”
I would also like to thank Brendan Borg on the occasion of his stepping down from the Firefinch board after four years and joining the Board of Leo Lithium. Brendan’s contribution to the Company has been exemplary, his commitment when the Company was in difficulties in the past was outstanding and on shareholders behalf, I thank him. His insights will be missed but I am delighted Firefinch will continue to benefit from his skills through his Board position with Leo Lithium, in which Firefinch will have a 20% interest.”
Liz Wall
Ms Wall is an Environment, Social, and Governance professional with over twenty years of global experience analysing and mitigating social and environmental risks connected with extractive industry projects and investments.
She has worked on a number of the world’s largest extractive sector projects, including Simandou, the ExxonMobil Rovuma project, Papua New Guinea LNG, and the Guinea Alumina Project, as well as with junior and mid-tier companies, and brings pragmatic experience in social and environmental risks and opportunities.
Ms Wall was most recently Chair and Director of TSX-listed Royal Road Minerals, and brings vast African expertise having worked in over a dozen countries, including Mali, and spending extended periods of time on the continent.
She has provided strategic counsel to publicly traded corporations and private equity firms, has worked directly with Rio Tinto and the International Finance Corporation, and has held corporate governance roles for non-profit organisations.
A recognised expert in the implementation of IFC Performance Standards and project development in difficult jurisdictions, Ms Wall has spent the last decade conducting and managing due diligence activities for firms and investors.
A Rhodes scholar with a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering as well as Master’s degrees in Development Studies and Environmental Management, Ms Wall is an AusIMM Fellow and CP (social performance), as well as the Chair of the Social Practice Forum.
Naomi Scott
Ms Scott has over ten years of expertise in the design and implementation of United Nations programs and eleven years of operational experience in the mining sector.
She has substantial expertise operating complex businesses in deregulated nations, ensuring compliance with the UN Convention, ICMM Principles, IFC Performance Standards, The Equator Principles, International law, and AIM and ASX laws.
Ms Scott is a well-known expert in Africa on investment risk assessments and crisis management. She previously worked for Battery Minerals (Australia) as Legal Counsel and Country Director Mozambique, where she was responsible for managing all aspects of legal compliance in Mozambique and Mauritius, as well as ensuring oversight of legal matters in Australia and securing mining licences, export licences, environmental impact plans, various permits, and a community relocation agreement.
As CEO of Anglo American (Mozambique) for four years, Ms Scott focussed on business growth, project origination, regional project integration, and government negotiations in addition to day-to-day administration. She was previously the Regional Director of Metals Africa at Anglo.
Images: Firefinch Ltd
