Evolution Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:EV1) has appointed highly experienced resources industry executive Mike Spreadborough as independent non-executive chair, effective immediately.
This appointment is part of a process to re-position the board to support the company’s dual focus on advancing the Chilalo Graphite Project towards financing and construction and progressing its US downstream processing strategy.
Spreadborough replaces Henk Ludik who had been acting as interim non-executive chair. Ludik will remain on the board as an independent non-executive director.
Vast experience
The new chair, who has served as a non-executive director with Evolution for six months, has more than 30 years of experience in Australian and international mining leadership roles, including as executive chairman, non-executive director, managing director/CEO and chief operating officer, in a range of commodities.
He has held executive and non-executive roles with companies including Sandfire Resources, CleanteQ Holdings, BHP Billiton and Western Mining, and is currently a director with Novo Resources Corporation and Arafura Rare Earths Limited.
Spreadborough has worked across underground and open pit mining, processing, port operations, exploration, project development and financing.
He is experienced across the value chain of operations, asset management, technical, exploration, financial, marketing, project development and financing, business development, strategy and investor engagement.
“An exciting time”
“Having spent the past six months as a non-executive director with Evolution, I am delighted to be assuming this role at what is an exciting time for the company," Spreadborough said.
"Chilalo is a development-ready project that is well placed to supply its fine flake graphite to the anode manufacturing industry and its coarse flake graphite to multiple high-value applications. We are committed to moving Chilalo towards financing and construction.
“As battery manufacturers and electric vehicle companies seek to access the significant financial incentives available in the US, our vision of becoming a vertically integrated company that supplies graphite to a downstream processing operation utilising established and world-leading technology, through our relationship with BTR, to manufacture anode materials, has the capacity to generate material value for our shareholders.
“I look forward to working with our managing director, Phil Hoskins, and the Evolution team, as we strive to deliver on that strategy.”