This week’s Talent Tuesday starts with the news that USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ:USAR) CEO and Director Barbara Humpton is set to retire. Thras Moraitis, current CEO of the Serra Verde Group, will succeed Humpton, assuming the role on 1 October 2026.
This timeline aligns with the anticipated completion of USAR’s combination with Serra Verde at the end of August 2026.
Moraitis has been CEO of Serra Verde since January 2023, transforming the company into the only large-scale producer of the four critical magnetic rare earths outside of Asia.
Serra Verde entered into a definitive agreement to combine with USAR in April 2026, as previously reported, with the goal of creating a globally significant rare earths leader with an equity value of around US$2.8 billion ($4 billion).
Chairman Michael Blitzer has been elected as executive chairman, effective immediately. Blitzer has played a critical role in establishing USAR’s strategic director and anchoring its vision to establish a global mine-to-magnet value chain.
Blitzer has also been instrumental in leading the efforts to obtain US Government financing, leveraging his own stocks in the company until it was able to achieve certain milestones.
USA Rare Earth is building a fully integrated rare earth and permanent magnet value chain across the US and the UK, with expansion plans in France and Brazil.
Antimony Resources secures high-level defence advisor for US supply push
Also among this week’s top moves is the appointment of John M Melkon as board advisor for Antimony Resources (CSE:ATMY).
Melkon has served as a director and assistant professor at the US Military Academy since 2012 and was recently charged to lead the Critical Minerals Consortium, facilitating the coordination, planning, and execution of the consortium mission.
He also serves as co-chair for the Bilateral Defense Committee between the US and South Africa.
Melkon has a 30 year history with the US Army, focusing on national security, with combat experience in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Southeast Asia.
In his teaching capacity, Melkon teaches geography seminars on Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa.
CEO Jim Atkinson says that Melkon’s background will bolster the company’s strategy and strengthen the outlook to provide a domestic antimony supply sourced from the US.
“With John’s connections to the United States Department of War and Military, he will be instrumental in introducing Antimony Resources to them, with a goal of securing [the antimony supply that the] United States […] needs for its military and assisting the company in obtaining loans and bursaries from the United States Department of War and the Export-Import Bank of the United States for the Bald Hill Antimony Project.”
Antimony Resources is an exploration and development company focused exclusively on the Bald Hill Antimony Project in New Brunswick, Canada.
First Canadian Graphite taps investment attraction expert to advance graphite project
First Canadian Graphite (TSX-V:FCI) has announced the appointment of Anthony (Tony) La Mantia to its advisory board, bringing more than 40 years of experience in corporate development, investment attraction, governance, and economic development.
La Mantia was previously vice president, corporate development at Largo Resources (TSX:LGO), helping to advance two major projects to NI 43-101 compliance and securing significant investment and offtake agreements.
La Mantia is the president and CEO of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation (Waterloo EDC), delivering over C$4 billion ($4.1 billion) in new investment to the region and supporting over 6,200 new jobs.
CEO John LaGourgue says that La Mantia will help First Canadian build a globally significant, ‘high-grade’ graphite deposit to meet growing demand.
“His extensive experience in investment attraction, mining corporate development, capital markets, and governance will be invaluable as we advance the Lac Guéret South Project and position the company for growth in the North American critical minerals supply chain.”
First Canadian Graphite is focused on the exploration of critical minerals and advancing the Lac Guéret South property in Québec, Canada.
Abitibi Metals appoints growth-focused SVP
Abitibi Metals (CSE:AMQ) has appointed Ben Pullinger as senior vice president of corporate development and growth, leading the company’s growth strategy as it advances its flagship B26 Project while also assessing additional growth opportunities.
Pullinger’s career spans a number of resource companies. He was most recently CEO of ATEX Resources (TSX:ATX), where he was responsible for its transformation from a sub C$50 million junior explorer to a global leader with a market capitalisation of over C$1.5 billion within four years.
Pullinger also held senior roles at Roxgold, Excellon Resources (TSX-V:EXN), and Golden Star Resources, a subsidiary of Chifeng Gold Group (SSE:600988).
Abitibi Metals is a junior explorer acquiring and exploring mineral properties in Québec, with a focus on base and precious metals assets that offer potential for growth.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: USA Rare Earth, Antimony Resources, First Canadian Graphite, Abitibi Metals
