A restructure of its executive team sees Aspire Mining Ltd (ASX:AKM) led by new CEO Samuel Bowles and newly appointed CFO Jules Grove, who joins from Automic Group.
The moves come as AKM looks to shore up its vision of becoming a world-class coking coal company.
“This executive restructure is an important part of the board’s focus on ensuring the company has the structure, standards and systems in place to construct and operate a world-class coking coal mine,” AKM non-executive chairman Michael Avery said.
“The company continues working on its primary focus of permitting, engineering and financing for the Ovoot Coking Coal Project.”
Aspire holds 100% of the Ovoot Coking Coal Project and 90% of the Nuurstei Coking Coal Project, both in Khuvsgul aimag (province) of northwestern Mongolia.
The company is focused on permitting, engineering and financing the Ovoot Project with intention to mine coking coal by open pit, truck this to a company-owned terminal facility in Erdenet and then deliver to customers in China and Russia via the existing Mongolian rail network.
Bowles and Grove will play key roles in bringing AKM’s vision to light.
From COO to CEO
Bowles was previously the chief operating officer of AKM, a role he has held since March 2020.
He has more than 20 years of experience in technical, operational and executive roles within the coal industry and has been resident in Mongolia since 2010.
During his time in the country, he has been responsible for managing coal mining, coal processing, coal transportation and logistics, and coal sales activities, including as chief operating officer for Mongolian Mining Corporation and Mongolia Business Unit head for TerraCom (ASX:TER) Limited.
Bowles is driven to create world-class and sustainable mining practices that benefit shareholders and the broader community.
Strategic skills
Jules Grove joins AKM to fill the CFO position.
He is principal, CFO Advisory at Automic Group and a Chartered Accountant.
Over a fulfilling career, he has developed a broad skill set across strategic, operational and commercial aspects of accounting, and brings strong technical experience.
Grove is Big 4 trained, holding a senior position in external audit before moving to commercial roles including executive finance and CFO roles.
He brings to AKM an interest in supporting growth companies by providing insight through meaningful and robust accounting and finance processes.