Venture Minerals Limited (ASX:VMS, OTC:VTMLF) has welcomed highly experienced mineral industry executive Philippa Leggat to the role of non-executive director.
Leggat has more than 20 years’ experience in advancing domestic and international projects along the value chain and has served as an executive director and advisor to ASX-listed companies engaged in capital raising, exploration, development and project evaluation.
Her track record of negotiating value accretive project acquisitions and effectively communicating an organisation’s competitive advantages to raise its profile will be of great benefit to VMS and its refocused approach to developing the Mount Lindsay Tin- Tungsten Project in northwest Tasmania, already one of the world's largest undeveloped Tin-Tungsten deposits.
Leggat's appointment is part of VMS’s commitment to recruit new talent and skill sets to the company’s non-executive team.
Adding CEO experience to the board
Leggat has served in various high-level roles, including as the CEO of Comet Resources, executive director of Geopacific Resources, and non-executive director of Kula Gold and Ensurance Ltd (ASX:ENA). She currently holds a position as a non-executive director at Harena Resources, a private Australian company focused on an Ionic Clay Rare Earths Project in Madagascar.
In addition to her professional achievements, Leggat is pursuing a master's degree in Data Science Strategy and Leadership at RMIT University. Her academic focus aims to enhance her capability to help companies leverage data for improved decision-making. She holds bachelor's degrees in both Commerce, with a concentration in financial management, strategy and risk, and Art, specialising in jewellery, gemmology, and metallurgy. Leggat is also a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Venture’s managing director Andrew Radonjic commented: “We are delighted to have Philippa join the board of Venture Minerals as the company looks to build its profile as it moves forward with its diversified portfolio of mineral assets with a strong representation in the critical minerals space.
Leggat's skill set will add another dimension to Venture’s strategic decision-making as it pushes towards developing sustainable critical minerals projects that are needed for decarbonisation of the world’s economy.
A fond farewell
Leggat's appointment comes as the current non-executive chair, Mel Ashton, retires from his position post the Annual General Meeting.
VMS has commenced a recruitment process to secure a new non-executive chair, with a number of high calibre candidates currently being considered.
Ashton is a founding director and has served and contributed to Venture since it listed in 2006.
“The company would like to acknowledge the efforts of Mel who has provided Venture strong guidance over a sustained period of time especially on the Mount Lindsay Tin-Tungsten Project which is well positioned for future development,” Radonjic said.
Venture initiates feasibility study on Mount Lindsay
Venture has begun an underground feasibility study on its Mount Lindsay project, building on earlier open-pit feasibility work. The study incorporates newly identified large-scale quantities of tin and boron, critical minerals in the battery and solar panel industries, respectively. These tin-borate minerals have not been evaluated in prior mining studies.
At the nearby Riley Iron Ore Mine, preparations are in place for a rapid restart pending favourable market conditions. In other developments, Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX:CHN, OTCQB:CGMLF) has committed a further A$2.5 million over the next two years to earn an additional 19% interest, making a total of 70%, in Venture's South West Project. SensOre Ltd (ASX:S3N) is currently farming in the Golden Grove North Project, where Venture retains the rare earth element (REE) rights. SensOre's AI technology has highlighted lithium and copper exploration potential at this location.
Venture also holds significant Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements (PGE) land at Kulin, featuring two promising 20-kilometre long Ni-Cu-PGE targets, while recent exploration has identified clay-hosted REE targets.