New Century Resources Ltd (ASX:NCZ) has enhanced its board and management skillset with the appointment of senior resource industry professional Robert Cooper as its new managing director and CEO.
The changes form part of the company’s strategy for growth beyond its existing Century tailings operation, which is now achieving steady-state operational output as a top-15 zinc producer globally.
Moving forward, this ongoing strong performance underpins New Century’s future growth initiatives, namely, the development of the Century hard rock assets, the Mt Lyell Copper Mine restart, and the continued ambition of developing a tailings asset management services business.
“Progress new growth initiatives”
New Century chairman Rob McDonald said: “With the appointment of Rob Cooper, New Century continues to strengthen its capability to further optimise its existing tailings asset and develop our hard rock opportunities, driving value generation for shareholders.
“The company has a strong base of assets, and we are delighted that Rob will join New Century to take these opportunities forward, while continuing to progress new growth initiatives including tailings asset management.”
Notable experience
Cooper’s mining career has spanned more than 30 years, during which time he has developed a strong track record in the management of multiple large-scale mining assets, operational cost control, business improvement and technical evaluation.
Most recently, he led Round Oak Minerals Pty Limited, a subsidiary of Washington H. Soul Pattison, a major Australian investment conglomerate, as CEO.
At Round Oak, he was responsible for the development and operation of a portfolio of Australian base metal mines before the successful sale of the business in June 2022.
Prior to his role with Round Oak, Cooper has held senior management and operational roles in both underground and open pit mining operations in most states of Australia, as well as Canada and Africa, working with BHP (ASX:BHP), Discovery Metals, CBH Resources (ASX:CBH), Wheaton River Minerals and Sons of Gwalia.
Cooper said: “I am delighted to join New Century at an exciting time for the company, as it focuses on utilising its existing cashflow generating platform of the Century tailings operations to continue to grow its asset base.
“It is a credit to the New Century team to have achieved what they have to date, bringing the Century asset back online and re-establishing the operation as a globally significant zinc producer.
“I look forward to leading the continued optimisation of this operation into the future. The New Century team has also secured an enviable set of growth assets via near-term hard rock mine developments at Century, as well as the outstanding opportunity to restart the significant Mt Lyell Copper Mine.”
Outgoing MD
Current New Century managing director Patrick Walta will step down from the board with effect from September 16, having served in the role for over five years and overseen the growth of the business from the Century acquisition, through start up, and into steady state operations.
He will continue to provide interim services to New Century to ensure a smooth transition in role and responsibilities to Robert Cooper.
Walta said: “It has been an honour to lead the New Century team and I am immensely proud of all that it has achieved to date.
“The restarting of Century operations via tailings reprocessing was a mammoth task that required a strong culture and the dedication of a team that strives for success.
“These efforts have created a platform for the company to continue to grow, both at the Century mine and beyond.
“New Century is also now uniquely positioned to capture further value for its shareholders by leveraging its track record as owner of Australia’s largest tailings reprocessing operation and an industry leader in mine site economic rehabilitation.
“I am pleased that the board has appointed a proven base metals mining professional in Rob Cooper, with strong multi-asset operational experience and discipline to lead our team in maximising value creation from our existing tailings operations, executing our hard rock growth projects at Century and Mt Lyell and continuing to build our tailings asset management growth pipeline.”
Thanking Walta for his efforts, McDonald adds: “Together with my fellow directors, I thank Pat for his efforts in guiding New Century to date. Under Pat’s leadership, the company has successfully achieved its initial vision of restarting the Century Mine and delivering a global scale green zinc operation, while also providing a net environmental benefit through progressive rehabilitation.
“Century is now a showcase for the tremendous opportunity for ‘economic rehabilitation’ within the resources industry, with the operations established as the 13th largest zinc producer globally and approaching a milestone of 1 million tonnes of zinc concentrate production without starting a new mine.
“We wish Pat the best for his future endeavours.”