Australian mineral exploration and development company Green Critical Minerals (ASX:GCM) reports it has appointed Mark Lynch-Staunton as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), commencing on 1 February this year.
The company says Lynch-Staunton is an ‘experienced’ metals and mining professional with more than 15 years in project feasibility, development and operations under his belt across gold, base metals, rare earth elements (REEs) and iron ore assets.
Furthermore, Lynch-Staunton has led studies on ‘globally significant’ mining projects and has recently led the study team of Reko Diq, which is considered one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world.
Commenting on the appointment, Green Critical Minerals Executive Chairman Leon Pretorius says: “Being able to attract a CEO with the calibre of Mark’s experience and proven technical and commercial acumen speaks volumes about the potential of the McIntosh Graphite Project.
“The expertise Mark will bring to the company from his many years working for some of the world’s largest mining companies was a significant attraction for the Green Critical Minerals board and is exactly what is required for the McIntosh project”
The expertise Mark will bring to the company from his many years working for some of the world’s largest mining companies was a significant attraction for the Green Critical Minerals board and is exactly what is required for the McIntosh project.
Mark has successfully delivered feasibility and optimisation studies on numerous global projects, including most recently a multi-million ounce gold-copper (Au-Cu) deposit in Tanzania.
The board welcomes Mark’s expertise in all facets of study management and will support his immediate focus to increase the resource at McIntosh, update the feasibility study and project economics to deliver the McIntosh project to its full potential.”
Green Critical Minerals incoming CEO Mark Lynch-Staunton commented: “I am highly encouraged to join and lead the company at this exciting phase. The quality of the assets and the vision to deliver into the critical minerals space are incredibly attractive.
The McIntosh graphite deposit is a clear standout and represents one of the best near-term critical minerals development opportunities in Australia. It has all the hallmarks to become a leading Australian graphite producer.
Critical Minerals are vital for renewable energy and the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, and it’s incredibly important we also turn our attention to mining them responsibly and sustainably. To this end, I will be exploring carbon mitigation strategies and if necessary, carbon offsets, with a view to achieving Australia’s first net-zero carbon graphite mine.
The REE potential at North Barkely further rounds out the company’s vision to deliver critical minerals in Tier-1 locations. I look forward to uncovering the true potential for what is shaping up to be a ‘significant’ REE find.”
The company reports the new CEO has ‘significant’ experience in adopting new technology and mining practices to unlock project value and mine more sustainably. The company says his skillset will complement the existing and ‘highly’ experienced team.
Green Critical Minerals is an Australian mineral exploration and development company formerly known as Chase Mining (ASX:CML). The company switched to the new name and ASX ticker on 12 December 2022.
It also holds a portfolio of assets prospective for graphite, base metals, nickel-copper-PGE (Ni-Cu-PGE), tungsten (W), and topaz. These assets include the McIntosh Graphite Project in Western Australia, and the option to earn up to 90% of Hawkwood Ni-Cu-PGE Joint Venture (JV) Project in Queensland which is held by the privately owned mining company Auburn Resources.
Other projects held by the company include the North Barkley REE Project in Queensland, as well as the Torrington Tungsten and Topaz Project in New South Wales.
Green Critical Minerals also owns 40% of privately owned exploration company Red Fox Resources which owns the Cloncurry and Georgetown base metal projects in Queensland.
Images: Green Critical Minerals Ltd
