Jindalee Resources Ltd (ASX:JRL) is strengthening its board through the appointment of highly experienced lithium executive Paul Brown as an independent non-executive director as it moves to develop the McDermitt Lithium Project in the US.
In another positive corporate move, the company’s executive director Lindsay Dudfield will become acting CEO following the spin-off of Dynamic Metals Limited, which will hold Jindalee’s Australian assets.
Mineral Resources experience
Brown, whose appointment takes effect on December 1, 2022, comes to Jindalee from Mineral Resources Limited where he has held senior executive roles in the capacity of chief executive – Lithium and chief executive Commodities.
He brings more than 20 years of experience in the mining industry with a strong track record in multiple disciplines including general management, operational management, technical leadership, project/studies management, business improvement, mineral resource evaluation and mine planning.
“Deep expertise”
Jindalee chairman Justin Mannolini said: “We are very pleased that a candidate of the calibre of Paul Brown has agreed to join the board of Jindalee.
"His extensive experience with industry leader Mineral Resources brings with it deep expertise both in the lithium market and project assessment and development generally, all of which will be of critical importance as Jindalee hones its focus on the development of its 100%-owned McDermitt Lithium Project in Oregon."
Operational roles
Prior to Mineral Resources, Brown held senior operating roles with Leighton, HWE and FMG gaining contractor and owner-miner experience through a broad range of technical, operational and construction roles spanning large-scale open-cut operations across a range of commodities including iron ore, lithium and copper.
He is a qualified mining engineer with a Masters in Mine Engineering M.Eng (MI) from Federation University in Victoria and also holds mechanical trade qualifications.
"The Jindalee board remains convinced that sediment-hosted lithium projects such as McDermitt have significant strategic appeal in the context of the United States’ drive towards self-sufficiency in the sourcing and manufacture of key components required to supply the burgeoning electric vehicle industry,” Mannolini said.
Enhanced role for Dudfield
The change for Dudfield will take effect when the spin-off and initial public offering (IPO) of shares in Dynamic Metals is completed.
Dynamic will be the primary vehicle for the development of Jindalee’s Australian assets.
A prospectus for the IPO was lodged with ASIC on November 17, 2022, and offers under the prospectus are now open for acceptance.
Dudfield will serve in the capacity of CEO of Jindalee while the company seeks to appoint a permanent candidate to fill the role and lead it to the next stage of development of the McDermitt Lithium Project.
Mannolini said: “Lindsay has been involved in the exploration and development of McDermitt from the very outset and we are delighted that he has agreed to lead Jindalee as it transitions from a multi-commodity exploration company to a pure-play US lithium explorer and developer.
"We are confident that the quality and strategic importance of McDermitt will allow us to attract a high-calibre candidate to the CEO role.”