Latin Resources Ltd (ASX:LRS) has added nearly 20 years of lithium leadership to the team following its latest board appointment.
Experienced C-suite leader Peter Oliver has joined the team as a non-executive director, bringing with him a global M&A, financing and mine management skillset.
The ASX-listed minerals explorer, which is exploring projects in South America and Australia, will use Oliver’s expertise to steer its cornerstone Salinas Lithium Project through development.
Prior to his appointment at Latin, Oliver advised battery metals giant Tianqi Lithium. Before that, he helmed subsidiary Talison Lithium, which owns and operates the world’s largest lithium mine – Greenbushes in Western Australia.
Taking Latin to “next level of development”
Commenting on the new board recruit, Latin managing director Chris Gale said he was delighted to welcome Peter Oliver to the company as it entered its next phase of growth.
“We will soon be confirming our maiden JORC resource, then our preliminary economic assessment, followed by our definitive feasibility study (DFS) in 2023 at the Salinas Lithium Project’s 100%-owned, high-grade Colina lithium prospect,” Gale explained.
“We have built an extremely strong team at Latin and are well positioned to create real shareholder value as we remain on track to deliver the mineral resource estimate in December this year.
“The addition of Peter’s corporate skillset and extensive lithium experience to the board gives us great confidence to take Latin to the next level of development once our DFS is produced.”
Oliver: Salinas has “great potential”
Peter Oliver has a background in chemistry and has spent many years working in the Western Australian mining industry.
Latin’s new non-executive director held many roles during his tenure at Talison, including chief operating officer, CEO and managing director.
Serving as chief executive in 2010, Oliver led Talison’s initial public offering, taking the company public on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
He oversaw several major expansions and the company’s eventual sale to Tianqi Lithium, after which he advised on acquisitions, facility construction and the upgrade of Greenbushes’ lithium concentrate production capacity.
Until June 2021, Oliver remained a non-executive director of Talison Lithium under a joint venture between Tianqi Lithium and Albemarle Corp.
Oliver said of his appointment: “After being approached by Latin Resources, it was obvious to me the Lithium asset at Salinas has great potential to become a world-class producer of lithium, supporting both the North American and European push towards a decarbonised future.
“The company has a terrific team and a great leader, and I look forward to working with them and the board in the strive towards production.
“It’s an honour to be invited to join this exciting and progressive group.”