Sunstone Metals Ltd has appointed specialist resources financial executive Lucas Welsh (CA, MBA, GAICD) as chief financial officer (CFO) and company secretary, effective today.
Welsh was most recently the CFO of St Barbara Ltd, where he had previously held the positions of head of Transformation and general manager Finance and Procurement. His experience also includes senior finance roles at WMC and PwC.
The appointment is part of Sunstone’s transition aimed at enabling the company to unlock the full value of its precious and base metals discoveries in Ecuador and secure wider market recognition of their worth and substantial growth potential.
Team of resource specialists
“We are assembling a team of resources specialists as part of a wider strategy to maximise shareholder value for our world-class gold and copper projects in Ecuador," managing director and CEO Patrick Duffy said.
“Lucas’ international mining and capital markets experience will be invaluable as we implement our long-term growth plans - through further discovery and development opportunities and to have this value fully recognised in financial markets for the benefit of shareholders."
Executive transition
Sunstone’s executive transition has seen Duffy appointed as managing director and CEO in April this year while retaining Malcolm Norris as executive director – Exploration.
Also in April, the company appointed former Xstrata Copper General Counsel Neal O’Connor as a non-executive director.
Welsh, who is based in Melbourne with Duffy, has replaced Gavin Leicht, who will continue in a hand-over capacity until July 31, 2024.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to sincerely thank Gavin for his commitment and contribution to Sunstone over a long period and we wish him all the best for the future,” Duffy added.