Melissa Sturgess

Melissa Sturgess holds a BSc and an MBA from the University of Western Australia and commenced her career with British Airways and Australian law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques. Melissa then took a consulting role with Aquarius Platinum Limited (ASX, LSE: AQP) before moving full time into the corporate development of resources companies. Up until March 2012 she was executive chairman of Nyota Minerals Limited (ASX, AIM: NYO) which has the largest holding of gold exploration ground in Ethiopia. Nyota has lodged an application for a large scale mining license at Tulu Kapi in Western Ethiopia and is completing a feasibility study on this project. Melissa was responsible for the acquisition, financing and exploration development of Nyota’s presence in Ethiopia. As Chairman of Luiri Gold, Melissa headed up the team that negotiated the reinstatement of the Company’s gold mining licence in Zambia and completed the equity financing to recommence exploration and development activities there. Melissa was also a founding director Sylvania Platinum Limited (ASX, AIM: SLP).