Black Rock Mining is gearing up to advance the impressive Mahenge graphite project in southern Tanzania, this week appointing two experienced executives to bolster the company’s Board.
Well respected mining veteran Ian Murray will join Black Rock as a Non-Executive Director and utilise his global networks and industry expertise to assist the company in structuring and financing the project for the potential start-up of construction activities later this year.
Mr Murray has held senior positions for companies such as KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Bioclones, DRDGold Ltd and with ASX-listed Gold Road Resources, where he delivered that company’s 7 million Gruyere project in WA.
He also has significant African experience through his nine-year tenure with DRDGold in South Africa, where he helped grow the company from a minnow to a global multi-mine gold producer.
Black Rock has also taken on Jeffrey Dawkins as the company’s CFO and Joint Company Secretary, as it commences building out its business platforms in support of the development of mining operations in Tanzania.
Mr Dawkins has over 20 years of industry experience in senior financial positions with companies including Lynas Corporation, Archipelago Resources, Peak Resources Ltd, Blackham Resources and most recently, Chief Financial Officer at Battery Minerals.
He will add considerable expertise in project financing and asset development to the company, having previous direct Tanzanian experience while at Peak Resources and exposure to the graphite sector in nearby Mozambique, from his recent tenure at Battery Minerals.
Mr Dawkins will work closely with the company’s Board to position Black Rock for operational readiness at Mahenge.
Commenting on the recent appointments, Black Rock Chairman Richard Crookes said: “We are excited to have secured the capabilities and experience that both Ian and Jeff will add to Black Rock. Importantly both have extensive experience in the resources sector with a strong resume of success.”
“Mahenge is a world class graphite project, I am very much looking forward to working with Ian and Jeff on the next phase in financing the project with an aim to driving positive outcomes for shareholders.”
Mr Murray added: “I’m eager to join the company to advance the Mahenge graphite project. I was attracted to Black Rock for the veracity and quality of the work done by John de Vries and his team all the way from initial studies through to the DFS released last year, and importantly, the compelling economics of the Mahenge project which are robust from multiple angles.”
By Matt Birney
