Eastern Metals Ltd (ASX:EMS) has strengthened its board with the appointment of two new independent non-executive directors while Bob Duffin has reconsidered his decision to retire and will remain as the company’s non-executive chairman.
Mark Dugmore and Ian White have been appointed independent non-executive directors to fill casual board vacancies and both will seek re-election at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Retirement “would have been a loss”
Following the announcement on August 24, 2022, of Bob Duffin’s decision to retire, he was approached by several of the company’s shareholders who requested that he defer his retirement and remain as non-executive chairman.
As a result, he has reconsidered his position and decided to remain as chairman and to offer himself for re-election at the AGM.
In a statement, EMS said Duffin was an experienced company director “and the board considers that his retirement would have been a loss for the company”.
New non-executive directors Dugmore and White both offer significant experience to the company’s Board of Directors.
Experienced geologist
Dugmore is an experienced geologist and, since 2014 to the present date, has been managing director of the ROMARDO Group, a private Brisbane-based, precious-base metals and lithium-focused early-stage project generation exploration group.
Prior to that, he was a director of and advisor to several junior mining exploration companies and earlier spent 16 years with BHP (ASX:BHP) Minerals where he rose to the position of manager, Global Base Metals.
In his current role, Duffin’s focus is on the leadership of a private mineral prospect generator group involving ex-BHP/WMC senior geoscientists who were instrumental in the discovery of the giant Cannington (BHP) and Olympic Dam/Ernest Henry (WMC) deposits.
His position involves the acquisition of new grassroots mineral exploration projects with potential for world-class ore deposits and marketing/deal-making of these projects employing the JV business model.
Corporate experience
White is an experienced director or secretary on more than 20 boards including a number of ASX-listed companies and his expertise encompasses all matters of company administration, management and marketing.
He is currently secretary of Maronan Metals Ltd and recently WPG Resources Ltd and Eastern Iron Limited (now Eastern Resources (ASX:EFE) Ltd).
White is highly experienced in corporate governance matters, including all of the corporate governance elements included in the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations.
The appointment of the two new directors will ensure that the board will consist of a majority of independent directors.
Board resignation
Meantime, Cathy Moises has resigned from the board.
EMS said: “The board appreciates the service Ms Moises has given to the company since she was appointed on July 26, 2021, and wishes her well.”