Solis Minerals Ltd (TSX-V:SLMN, ASX:SLM) has taken another key step towards realising the value of its battery metal assets in South America with the appointment of highly experienced mining executive Matthew Boyes as an executive director.
The company expects to reap the benefits of Boyes’ previous experience in South America including lithium and copper, which are the basis of Solis’ portfolio.
During his resources career spanning more than 25 years, Boyes worked for more than 10 years in South America and has extensive experience with copper and lithium geology on the continent.
He is a qualified geologist with international experience in mine geology, project evaluations, mine development, corporate management and capital markets.
“High-quality mining executive”
SLM chairman Chris Gale said: “We are delighted to attract a high-quality mining executive like Matt Boyes to Solis Minerals.
"Matt has extensive experience in South America; he understands the opportunity with this jurisdiction and will be a valuable asset for the company in identifying and developing our lithium and copper projects.”
Behind Mt Ida Lithium Project
Also enhancing the company’s confidence in the ability of Boyes to support its endeavours is his experience with Red Dirt Metals Ltd (ASX:RDT).
As managing director, he led the growth of that company through the acquisition and aggressive development of the Mt Ida Lithium Project in the historical Mt Ida gold mining district, about 100 kilometres northwest of Menzies in Western Australia.
Impressively during his two years at the helm, Boyes oversaw Red Dirt’s transition from junior gold explorer to a lithium developer and grew a $15 million market capitalisation to a value in excess of $200 million.
“Sector has enormous potential”
The new executive director said: “I am very excited to have been given the opportunity to join Chris Gale and the team at Solis Minerals.
"I feel the battery metals sector has enormous potential to add shareholder value in the short and long term.”
Boyes added: "With Brazil quickly becoming the epicentre of hard rock lithium exploration and production in South America, Solis is positioning itself well to take advantage of this space.
“Solid growth platform”
"We have a solid growth platform after recently acquiring the Borborema project.
"With the support of our strategic partner and major shareholder, Latin Resources, we have an invaluable in-country partner with a well-developed network of staff and infrastructure to assist with Solis’ development.”
The appointment comes as Solis increases its presence in a highly prospective lithium region of Brazil.
READ: Solis Minerals acquires 22 new lithium-prospective exploration licences in Brazil
Meantime, Jason Cubitt will step down as Solis’ president and CEO but will remain as a non-executive director.
Solis Minerals thanks Cubitt for his commitment to the company over the past several years and welcomes his continuing involvement.