FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX:FFM, TSX:FFM, OTC:MNXMF) has added seasoned mining executive Leanne Heywood to its board as an independent non-executive director, bringing a mix of commercial sharpness and governance depth shaped across some of the sector’s biggest names. A Fellow of CPA Australia, Heywood built her reputation in international markets at Rio Tinto Ltd (LSE:RIO, ASX:RIO, OTC:RTNTF), most recently leading global copper marketing after earlier stepping in as CFO for a copper operation within the Rio portfolio.
“Leanne will bring invaluable skills and experience to FireFly, particularly in the specialised area of copper marketing,” FireFly managing director Steve Parsons said.
“With the copper-gold Mineral Resource continuing to grow at our Green Bay Project and economic studies underway, Leanne is perfectly placed to help us prepare for what will be an increasingly important aspect of our business.”
NSW Business Woman of the Year
Heywood’s boardroom portfolio spans the value chain and public service alike. She currently serves on the boards of Deterra Royalties (ASX: DRR), Snowy Hydro, Lotus Resources (ASX: LOT), Advanced Energy Minerals, Denison Gas, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia – South Eastern Section.
Recent mandates have included guiding MAC Copper through to its US$1.0 billion acquisition by Harmony Gold in October 2025, and chairing the audit committee at Arcadium Lithium (NYSE: ALTM) prior to its March 2025 sale to Rio Tinto.
Recognised as NSW Business Woman of the Year in 2019 and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2021, Heywood pairs those honours with formal credentials — an MBA from the University of Melbourne, GAICD status, and fellowship of CPA Australia. For FireFly, the appointment signals a board intent on coupling copper-market fluency with disciplined oversight as the company advances its growth agenda.
“We are delighted to welcome Leanne to the board. Her wealth of experience in the copper sector and in financial management will enable her to contribute valuable insights as the company continues to progress towards becoming a copper and gold producer,” FireFly non-executive chairman Kevin Tomlinson said.
“Importantly, Leanne’s appointment also strengthens the independence and gender diversity of the board, and appropriately enhances the board’s composition following a period of rapid growth and FireFly’s recent addition to the S&P/ASX 300 Index.”
High grade hits
The appointment comes as FireFly continues to report additional high-grade copper-gold hits from the Green Bay project in Canada, confirming a continuous high-grade core over an 800-metre strike that remains open at depth and along trend.
Read more: Firefly Metals hits high-grade copper zone at Green Bay - ICYMI
The company says the high-grade zone is 30–50 metres wide. Notable drilling returned 43 metres at 7.6% copper, including 15 metres at 16.0% copper equivalent. FireFly notes the mineralisation carries gold by-product credits, enhancing project value.
These results extend a sequence of updates following a pause over the Northern Hemisphere summer. Drilling and assay work have now resumed and are advancing rapidly.
