Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has strengthened its board with the appointment of two experienced mining executives - Alwyn Vorster as non-executive director and Trevor Matthews as executive director.
The appointment complements the company’s executive team and other board members in driving the development of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi as well as advancing bauxite assets in Guinea.
Vorster is a 30-year veteran of the mining industry and has a proven track record of leading companies through all phases of the mining value chain from exploration, project studies, approvals, development, infrastructure access and corporate transactions, to sales and shipping.
Matthews has more than 35 years of experience in the resources industry, where he has specialised in managing nascent greenfields mining and mineral processing projects through to production.
“Crucial juncture”
Lindian executive chairman Asimwe Kabunga said: “We are delighted to welcome Alwyn and Trevor to the Lindian board, at a crucial juncture for the company as we advance near-term development activities at Kangankunde, as well as pursuing some exciting opportunities for our bauxite assets where there is considerable unlocked value.
“Our CEO has assembled a capable team of executives and contractors with a solid base of expertise in geology, metallurgy and project execution, and these skills are well-matched with those of the incoming directors.
“Our efforts are now firmly focused on bringing the fully permitted Kangankunde project into production.
“Activities are now gathering pace at Kangankunde and we expect to provide an operational update shortly, as well as reporting remaining assays from the second deep diamond drill hole.
“We are also active in Guinea and anticipate reporting on further positive developments here as well.”
Notable experience
Most recently, Vorster was interim CEO at rare earths company Hastings Technology Metals, where he participated in offtake and investment discussions with international rare earths traders and magnet companies, settled a new fixed price construction model for a staged development and established a high-quality delivery team.
His other CEO roles include Iron Ore Holdings, API Management JV and Oakajee Port and Rail JV (acting).
Vorster’s primary focus at Lindian will be to leverage his rare earths, offtake, infrastructure access and project development experience to provide strategic advice in support of project activities in Malawi and Guinea.
Meanwhile, Matthews was the managing director of ASX-listed Volt Resources for a six-year term.
Previously he held the role of managing director at MZI Resources, advancing the $110 million Keysbrook mineral sands project from the feasibility study stage through to production.
At Murchison Metals, he was developing an operating iron ore mine and associated logistics infrastructure in WA’s Midwest as part of a larger JV with Mitsubishi Corporation to develop a large-scale iron ore mine and the multi-user Oakajee Port and Rail infrastructure project.
At present, Matthews is the chairman of Victory Metals and the non-executive director of Resource Mining Corporation.