Perth based Blackham Resources have beefed up their board as they rapidly approach production at the Matilda Gold project in Wiluna, Western Australia.
The company recently appointed ex Straits Resources CEO Milan Jerkovic to Chair the Blackham board.
Mr Jerkovic worked at Straits Resources for an extraordinary 22 years guiding the company through listing on the Singapore exchange and ultimately out of exploration and into production.
Straits Resources are the fifth largest copper producer in Australia operating multiple mines as part of their Tritton operations in NSW.
Former Chairman Paul Murphy has been encouraged to stay on as Deputy Chairman however the company believes that Mr Jerkovic’s significant experience in running and financing operational mines will provide exactly the right mix as the company readies itself for production in 2016 at Wiluna.
Mr Jerkovic is a qualified geologist with postgraduate qualifications in Mining & Mineral Economics. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a member of the Australasian Institute of Company Directors.
He also has experience with WMC, BHP, Nord Pacific and Hargraves and he has gold mining experience with Kurrara Gold Mines, Hillgrove Gold, Browns Creek and Mt Muro.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr Jerkovic said: “It is a very exciting time to be joining the Blackham team as they transition into production next year and I look forward to helping optimise this mine commissioning phase. I believe Blackham has outstanding additional resource potential within the company’s asset base and I will be working with the team to improve the visibility and delivery of this significant under the headframe geological value. “
Blackham’s Managing Director, Bryan Dixon said: “Mr. Jerkovic will bring valued expertise and business connections to the Board. He has a track record of building teams and projects and his experience is very complementary to the development of Blackham’s 4.7Moz Matilda Gold Project.
Interestingly, Mr Jerkovic’s salary package will depend in part on the company hitting an EBITA of $20m in either the first or second operational half year at the $4.7m ounce Matilda Gold project.
If this milestone is achieved then 250 000 performance rights will vest to Mr Jerkovic.
