As part of its plans to fast-track the Salinas Lithium Project towards production, Latin Resources Ltd (ASX:LRS, OTC:LRSRF) has appointed Peter Oliver as executive director and chair of the Development Committee, effective today.
Oliver, who has been contributing as a non-executive director since October 2022, draws on an illustrious career in the mining sector including several pivotal roles in global mergers, acquisitions, financing and operational management.
Illustrious career in lithium
That career includes a strong track record on lithium, including a notable tenure as CEO and managing director of Talison Lithium.
Under Oliver’s stewardship at that company, the Greenbushes mine in Western Australia flourished to become the largest lithium mine globally.
While at Talison Lithium he also steered the company through milestones such as a successful initial public offering (IPO) and its subsequent acquisition by Tianqi Lithium, after which he continued to influence major expansions and the development of the Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide plant.
The company hopes Oliver will be a linchpin in its ambitions to become a leading global lithium producer.
Salinas is the focus
Latin Resources is focused on its flagship project in the Minas Gerais pro-mining district of Brazil, the Salinas Project.
With a global mineral resource estimate of 70.3 million tonnes at 1.3% Li2O and a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) indicating robust economics, the project is at the forefront of Latin Resources' strategy to become a force in the global battery metals market.
With Oliver's expertise in corporate leadership, public company management and advisory roles, Latin Resources is well-positioned to advance the Salinas Lithium Project in Brazil to top-tier production status.
“Since I joined Latin Resources, we have proved that the Salinas project is without doubt exceptional,” said Oliver.
“As we are now progressing to the development phase, Chris is assembling a world-class development team that I am confident will move us to the next phase, that of being a major global producer.
“As an executive director and chair of the development committee, I look forward to working with Chris to assist him in building the team, complete the DFS and bring Salinas into production. Undoubtedly an exciting time ahead.”
Managing director Chris Gale said: “I am extremely pleased that Peter has decided to take an active role in the development of our Salinas Lithium project in Brazil.
“Peter brings a wealth of lithium development experience having been the key person to develop the world’s largest lithium spodumene mine, Greenbushes.
“We are now confident, with Peter's vast lithium knowledge and expertise, we can take the next steps of being a lithium developer to becoming a lithium producer in 2026.”
Other news
The company's 2024 roadmap includes continuing resource definition drilling at the Colina deposit and further exploration at the Fog’s Block and Planalto prospects, with aims to update and expand the current mineral resource estimates (MRE) and validate new drilling targets.
These extensive drilling programs will enable the company to refine its resource estimates and will underpin the definitive feasibility study (DFS) scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2024.