Silver Mines Ltd (ASX:SVL, OTC:SLVMF) has appointed a new managing director to guide the company through its transition into its mine development and production phase and into a mid-tier mining company.
Jonathan Battershill, currently a non-executive director, will take up the MD position effective January 1, 2024.
Battershill will take over from current MD Anthony McClure, who will retire at the end of the 2023 calendar year.
McClure has overseen recapitalisation and the acquisition of the Bowdens Silver Project in 2016.
“On behalf of the board and staff of Silver Mines, I congratulate and thank Anthony (Tony) McClure for his significant contribution to the company as managing director. He has provided strong leadership as a driving force in the successful development of the company from a small cap explorer to one that is on the verge of becoming a mid-tier miner,” Silver Mines chairman Keith Perrett said.
“Tony has been instrumental for the company and has led it through exploration and resource development, feasibility studies and environmental and social impact studies, culminating with obtaining mining approval from the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission. Tony will remain in the short term as a consultant to help with the transition. We wish him and his family best wishes for the future.”
McClure said, “I leave the company in expert hands and look forward to watching it thrive in its transition to production. I will remain a significant shareholder. Jo Battershill brings tremendous experience to the company. He has a deep understanding of the company’s culture, strategy and objectives and has significant experience across Silver Mines’ operations, risk management and corporate functions.
“He also has a strong financing background which is essential as the company moves towards mine construction and production. After conducting an internal and external recruitment process, it is pleasing to have appointed an internal successor which demonstrates the talent within the existing leadership team.”
About the new MD
Battershill, who has been a non-executive director of Silver Mines since 2017, has had a highly-successful career spanning more than 25 years in mining, business development and finance both in Australia and internationally.
His experience includes senior operational and business development roles with WMC Resources Limited (Western Mining) as well as significant financial experience at Citigroup (NYSE:C), UBS and Canaccord both in Sydney and London.
Importantly for SVL, Battershill was consistently voted one of the leading financial mining analysts in Australia between 2009 and 2015 by institutional investors.
“I also welcome Jonathan (Jo) Battershill to the position of managing director. We are fortunate to have secured such a highly regarded executive to the role. The board and I look forward to working with Jo as we embark on a successful transition from explorer through development and finally to producer,” Perrett said.