Andromeda Metals Ltd is making a key executive management change with Luke Anderson appointed chief executive officer and managing director, effective August 1, 2024, following a decision by Bob Katsiouleris to step down from these roles and return to Europe due to personal reasons.
Katsiouleris will serve in these roles until July 31, 2024, after which he will continue to work for Andromeda as an advisor to the board, based in Europe, and prior to his commencement as CEO & MD, Anderson will join the company as a consultant to ensure an orderly transition.
High-calibre executive
Anderson is a high-calibre, very experienced executive with more than 30 years of experience with ASX-listed resource and industrial minerals companies in Australia and internationally.
Importantly for Andromeda, he also has significant logistics experience in Australia, particularly South Australia.
Andromeda chair Mick Wilkes said: “The board thanks Bob for his energy and leadership in refocusing the business and is very pleased to have secured the services of such a high-calibre executive in Luke Anderson.
"Luke’s extensive international industrial minerals and financial experience, together with additional expertise in project development and logistics in our home State are perfectly matched to Andromeda’s strategic needs.
“Luke’s expertise will be pivotal in progressing the development of The Great White Project through to production and for Andromeda’s long-term success.
“The board welcomes Luke to Andromeda and are pleased that Bob has made the commitment to remain as an advisor to the board, to assist in executing Andromeda’s commercial strategy and delivering on our long-term growth potential, for the benefit of shareholders.”
Katsiouleris said: “While my personal circumstances have unfortunately necessitated my decision to return to Europe, I am delighted that Luke has accepted the role, and look forward to working closely with him to effectively execute on Andromeda’s strategic goals.”
Previous roles
Most recently, Anderson was CEO of One Rail Australia (previously Genessee and Wyoming Australia) and prior to this was chief financial officer at OZ Minerals.
He was also CEO and president at Unimin Corporation (renamed Covia Corporation in 2018), the largest industrial mining company in North America and a subsidiary of SCR-Sibelco NV, a major kaolin producer based in Belgium.
Unimin Corporation was one of the world’s leading producers of industrial minerals with operations covering mining, processing and sales & marketing.
Anderson was also a member of the executive committee of parent company SCR-Sibelco NV, one of the two largest industrial minerals companies globally, with more than US$3.2 billion in annual revenue and over 10,000 employees across 36 countries.
He held a number of roles at Normandy Industrial Minerals, Australia’s largest diversified industrial minerals producer and a division of ASX-listed Normandy Mining, which was later acquired by Newmont Corporation.
“Unique market”
“Being from Adelaide, I am thrilled at the opportunity to join Andromeda, with its unique market and product-focused positioning, high-quality kaolin resources and strong future growth opportunities," Anderson said.
"I look forward to working with the board and Bob in progressing The Great White Project towards construction and eventual production.”