West Coast Silver (ASX:WCE) has commissioned Sergei Smolonogov as executive director and chief technical officer and Vince Fayad as non-executive chairman to drive growth at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project in Pilbara, Western Australia.
The board changes aim to accelerate resource growth at the project following recent drilling that defined new near-surface silver mineralisation and intersected 3m at 524 grams per tonne (g/t) silver (Ag) from 183m, including 1.5m at 1,039g/t Ag.
Smolonogov brings 30 years of mine geology and resource development experience, most recently serving as general manager at Adriatic Metals (ASX:ADT).
“I am excited by the opportunity to continue to grow the Elizabeth Hill deposit near surface, at depth, near-mine, and regionally,” Smolonogov says.
“The goals we are setting are to not only grow the silver resources but to find an optimal development pathway towards production and returns on investment.”
Meanwhile, Fayad adds corporate finance and M&A capability with over 20 years in senior executive roles within globally listed resource companies.
“I am pleased to join this exciting journey of West Coast Silver’s growth plan and [to be] working with the executive team [to build] the growth and success of Australia’s premier silver project,” Fayad says.
“I am confident that the team in place will take Elizabeth Hill on the right growth plan that will lead it to the commercialisation of Australia’s next silver mine.”
West Coast Silver notes Executive Chairman Bruce Garlick will transition to Executive Director – Corporate during a three-month notice period ending 5 November 2026, while Eugene Sharrock steps down as non-executive director.
The company intends to incorporate completed 2026 drilling into a Q4 mineral resource estimate (MRE) update, followed by metallurgical and geotechnical studies to inform a Scoping Study.
Q4 exploration will focus on follow-up drilling below historical workings and regional geophysical work along a 4km corridor. Additionally, West Coast Silver is now in talks with third-party mining companies for potential toll treatment of Elizabeth Hill ore.
Elizabeth Hill previously produced 1.2 million ounces (Moz) Ag at 2,194g/t Ag between 1998 and 2000. The project currently holds a JORC 2012 MRE of 2.8Moz Ag from 141,000 tonnes at 617g/t Ag, which was reported in April 2026.
West Coast Silver is an explorer and developer focused on its Elizabeth Hill Silver Project, located 45km south of Karratha in WA.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Mining.com.au
