Allup Silica Limited (ASX: APS) (“Allup” or “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has strengthened its Board with the addition of 2 new Directors who have funded over $2billion in operations and developed, built and operated 3 VHM sand mines over the past 20 years in Australia and Africa.
Highlights:
Mr Peter Secker to join as Non-Executive Director. Mr Secker has extensive experience in sands operating the Cooljarloo Mineral Sands Mine with Tiwest in WA.Mr Simon Finnis to join as Managing Director effective 16 August 2024. Simon has over 10 years operating in minerals sands, initially with Bemax Resources Limited at the Pooncarie Mineral Sands Project in NSW, and later as CEO of the US$650m Grand Cote Mineral Sands Project in Senegal, West Africa.The Company will immediately commence a Pre-Feasibility Study on the McLaren project.Market demand for VHM expected to stay strong for many years due to ongoing supply deficits with mine closures and limited new projects coming online.
These appointments follow the recent announcement regarding the acquisition of a 100% interest in the McLaren Valuable Heavy Mineral Sands Project located near Norseman and Esperance Port, WA.
Mr Peter Secker – Non-Executive Director
Peter has significant experience in the Mineral Sands industry having designed, built and commissioned and operated the TiWest Project at Cooljarloo, WA. Peter is a is a Mining Engineer with over 40 years’ experience delivering five greenfield projects into development in Australia, China, Africa, Canada and Mexico. Peter has been a CEO of public companies since 1990 and has raised over $2Billion of debt and equity.
Simon Finnis – Managing Director
Simon is a mining professional with over 35 years’ mining experience, including over 10 years operating in the minerals sands industry. Between 2001 and 2007 he worked on the Pooncarie Mineral Sands Project in NSW, taking it from feasibility, through construction and into production, becoming the General Manager Operations in 2004 and eventually Operations Manager, Eastern Australia until his departure in late 2007.
From 2012 – 2014 he was CEO of the US$650m Grand Cote Mineral Sands Project in Senegal, West Africa. In 2015, Simon joined Metro Mining as CEO to design, develop and operate the Bauxite Hills Project in Queensland.
The McLaren Valuable Heavy Mineral sand Project
The Eucla West HMS Project is located on the western side of the Eucla Basin, adjacent to the Fraser Range within the State of Western Australia (Figure 1). The Eyre Highway from Norseman passes through the tenements at the common boundary of E69/2386 and E69/2388. The Balladonia roadhouse/motel is located on the Eyre Highway and approximately 40 km east of the project.
Allup Silica Executive Director Andrew Haythorpe commented:
‘We welcome the new Board members and looking forward to strengthening the team. The McLaren Project presents an excellent opportunity for Allup Silica to fulfill its plan of moving into minerals production.
There has been significant, high quality previous work done, and the high value of titanium minerals means this opportunity presents a quicker and higher confidence pathway for Allup Silica and its shareholders.
As such I will be stepping aside as Managing Director but remaining as an Executive Director to support the companies’ growth plans over this transformational period.”
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