Corazon Mining Ltd (ASX:CZN, OTC:CRZNF) has made two new appointments to its board as it continues the drive for development of the company’s portfolio of critical minerals projects, including its core asset — the Lynn Lake nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide project in Canada’s Manitoba Province.
Effective from today, long-standing director Jonathan Downes will retire from the board, with Kristie Young and Andrew Strickland appointed to the board as non-executive directors.
Two experienced board additions
Kristie Young began her career as a mining engineer in the mid-1990s and has worked with Hamersley Iron, Mt Isa Mines and Plutonic Gold. She also has significant expertise in business development and growth, including business development director roles with EY & PwC, and has more than 15 years’ experience holding positions on the boards of ASX companies and not-for-profit organisations.
Young has a unique background across mining engineering, business development, project evaluation, marketing, strategy, growth, corporate governance and ESG.
She is a non-executive director of Lithium Australia Ltd (ASX:LIT, OTC:LMMFF), Tesoro Gold, Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd and MinEx CRC.
The second incoming non-executive director, Andrew Strickland, is an experienced resources sector senior executive with a strong track record of project development and project management across base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals and iron ore project, both in Australia and internationally.
Strickland has a broad understanding and experience in all aspects of developing mining projects including geology, mine design optimisation and planning, infrastructure design, environment approvals as well as permitting, marketing, project estimation, project financial analysis and financing.
He is part of the executive leadership team at Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX, OTCQX:BLSTF) — a substantial shareholder in Corazon — where he is responsible for project development, mergers and acquisitions and partnership development, and has developed strong relationships throughout the battery metals supply chain sector in Australia, Canada and Southeast Asia.
Previously, Strickland was responsible for delivering scoping studies and feasibility studies for a range of Australian and international projects at GR Engineering Services. He has also held roles with South32, Straits Resources Ltd, Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX:PRU, TSX:PRU, OTC:PMNXF) and Tiger Resources Ltd.
Jonathan Downes steps down
A founding director of Corazon, Jonathan Downes has stepped down from the board to focus on his role as managing director of gold junior Kaiser Reef Ltd (ASX:KAU). He has made a significant contribution to the development of the Lynn Lake Project and the acquisition of the Mt Gilmore Project in NSW.
Corazon chairman Terry Streeter said: “While we are sad to lose the valued contribution of Jonathan, the company has taken the opportunity to add skill sets to its board that will further enhance the execution of our plans for the redevelopment of the Lynn Lake Mining Operation in Canada.
“Our two new incoming directors, Kristie and Andrew, are exciting appointments each with specific experience in international mining operations and the battery metals sector which will complement and strengthen the composition of the company’s Board.”