AuKing Mining Ltd (ASX:AKN) has changed up its board as part of the Orion Resources Ltd transaction.
In late November, the company advanced its growth strategy by entering into an earn-in agreement with Orion, which is acquiring a significant portfolio of mining and exploration assets, along with processing facilities, in northwest Queensland.
The package includes the Lorena processing plant and associated infrastructure, about 15 kilometres east of Cloncurry, as well as a range of exploration and mining tenements in the surrounding area.
Under the terms of the agreement, AuKing can secure a 15% interest in these assets by investing A$1.5 million in exploration activities by December 31, 2025.
As part of the Orion transaction, Mark Fisher, Dr Kylie Prendergast and Nick Harding will join the board as additional directors.
AuKing’s managing director Paul Williams said the company “was very fortunate to secure the services of three experienced senior mining and exploration professionals as additional directors.
"Each of Mark Fisher, Dr Kylie Prendergast and Nick Harding are expected to make a substantial contribution to the company as it seeks to advance its project interests.”
Bringing more experience to the table
Mark Fisher, B.Sc. (Geological Engineering)
Mark Fisher is a seasoned resources executive with more than 35 years of experience in the mining industry. His expertise spans strategic business planning, feasibility studies, project management, organisational design, mine engineering and mine management.
Fisher’s versatile skill set and extensive experience have consistently driven profitable and sustainable outcomes, enhancing shareholder value in complex operational environments.
Fisher has held prominent global leadership roles, including senior positions with Placer Dome Inc and Barrick Gold Corporation.
In his last corporate role, he served as president of the Global Copper division at Barrick Gold Corporation, spearheading the development strategy for a portfolio of copper assets across South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Dr Kylie Prendergast, PhD (Economic Geology), Grad Cert (Applied Finance)
Dr Kylie Prendergast is an accomplished geologist and technical leader with more than 25 years of experience in the international resource sector. Currently the managing director of Helix Resources Ltd (ASX:HLX), Prendergast has worked extensively across diverse jurisdictions, including in-country assignments and expatriate roles.
Her expertise encompasses business development, technical and economic project evaluations, and commercial management, with significant interaction with global resource capital markets.
Previously, she served as managing director at Mining Associates, a leading consultancy, and has held senior leadership roles with Felix Gold Limited, Mawarid Mining (Oman) and Batu Mining (Mongolia).
Earlier in her career, Prendergast worked in technical geology roles with BHP Billiton (LON:BHPB), Ivanhoe Mines (OTC:IVPAF) and North Limited.
Nick Harding, BA (Accounting), Grad Dip (Applied Finance), Grad Dip (Corporate Governance), FCPA, FFin, AGIA
Nick Harding is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant (FCPA) with extensive experience in finance, corporate governance and company administration across the resources and agribusiness sectors. His expertise includes equity raising, debt funding, financial modelling, feasibility studies and statutory reporting.
Over the past 16 years, Harding has served as executive director, chief financial officer and company secretary for several ASX-listed junior exploration companies, guiding them from exploration to development and production.
His earlier career included senior finance roles at WMC Resources, Normandy Mining/Newmont Australia and Beach Energy (ASX:BPT), where he managed operations involving gold, copper, nickel, uranium, industrial minerals, and oil and gas.