South Harz Potash Ltd (ASX:SHP) has appointed non-executive director Lawrence Berthelet to the role of chief operating officer following the resignation of Jason Wilkinson effective from the start of the new year.
Timing and opportunity
“The opportunity to restart potash mining in the Thuringia area is the right combination of timing and opportunity,” Berthelet said of his appointment. “The ore bodies have been proven with technology in both construction and operations having advanced since the mines in the area were closed.
“As a new potash facility, the South Harz Project, is already a step ahead in local technical and operational understanding of what it will take to make this operation a reality.
“Having spent time personally in the area, and with a plan to base my role in Germany, I am happy to be working to increase the production of MOP from this community. I am eager to assist in developing a successful project for the area, and for the fertilizer industry.”
The company sees this as further advancement of its board renewal and optimisation initiatives.
35 years in potash
Berthelet was appointed to the South Harz board and Technical Committee in October and is a deeply experienced executive with more than 35 years in the global potash industry, with a demonstrated track record of successful, large-scale operational project delivery and management.
He has been involved in all aspects of potash mine advancement from early project studies through to contracting and development, and over his career has been responsible for building and operating potash mines, including direct responsibility for surface and underground operations.
This included leading The Mosaic Company’s US$2.9 billion K3 Mine Expansion Project, which was completed on budget and ahead of time. His experience also includes leading projects as an EPCM provider, including starting and managing an EPCM office in Saskatchewan, responsible for front-end studies of potash projects worldwide.
In his most recent role as head of the Mining Division at EuroChem Group, Berthelet was responsible for the production of 3 million tonnes per annum of muriate of potash (MOP), along with the successful completion of major capital projects including shaft sinking, underground development and process facility optimisation.
The role also included front-end scoping, pre-feasibility and definitive feasibility studies for new potash developments in Russia.
Incumbent COO Jason Wilkinson will remain with South Harz for a transition period before his departure while Berthelet will step down from the board and his role as a non-executive director of the company and into his new role.
Significant contribution
South Harz managing director Luis da Silva said: “On behalf of the board and all shareholders I would like to sincerely thank Jason for his significant contribution to South Harz over the last seven years.
Jason has been integral to bringing the company to prominence and delivering the Ohmgebirge scoping study, which evidences the tremendous latent commercial and social potential within the asset. We wish Jason the very best in his new role and continued success.
“Lawrence’s appointment as COO provides South Harz with the essential skills, project delivery and leadership experience required for the optimal advancement of the Ohmgebirge Development, including all key pre-feasibility and definitive feasibility study workstreams.
"His integration into, and leadership of, a full feasibility study program is expected to align with the existing project schedule, targeting delivery of a DFS in the coming two years.”
“The South Harz team and I have already spent time on the ground with Lawrence and we look forward to advancing this large-scale, high-quality potash opportunity towards development and production.”