As well as raising $1,150,000, Askari Metals Ltd (ASX:AS2) has strengthened its board with the appointment of accomplished mining executive and African resources specialist Martin Holland as a non-executive director, as the company advances its African-focused exploration and growth strategy.
Read more: Strategic funding secured to support maiden drilling at Nejo copper-gold project
Holland brings more than 20 years of corporate, technical and commercial experience, with extensive time working across multiple African jurisdictions and a focus on building strong relationships with local stakeholders.
He is the founder and executive chairman of ASX-listed Cobre Ltd (ASX: CBE), which is actively exploring the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana, and an executive director of Rapid Critical Metals Ltd (ASX: RCM). He was also the founder and former CEO of Lithium Power International Ltd (ASX: LPI), which was taken over in 2024 for about $400 million, and has been an executive in multiple companies that have collectively raised more than A$300 million for exploration targeting new future metals discoveries.
Building technical advantage
Holland’s appointment is intended to bolster the company’s strategic, technical and corporate capacity as it pursues its ambitions as an African explorer and developer.
Askari is currently focused on progressing exploration at its flagship, advanced-stage Nejo Copper and Gold Project in Ethiopia and on restarting work at the Uis Lithium Project in Namibia, where mineralised pegmatites host tin, tantalum, rubidium and lithium. At Nejo, an expanded field program at the Guji, Komto 1 and Komto 2 target areas, which together span a cumulative strike length of 10 kilometres open in both directions, is laying the groundwork for a maiden drilling campaign.
"We are incredibly pleased to welcome Martin Holland to the board of Askari. Martin is an accomplished and highly regarded African resources industry professional whose strategic technical and corporate expertise will greatly assist the company as we move forward,” executive director Gino D’Anna said.
"We are currently in a transformative growth phase. We are consolidating our African exploration strategy and advancing exploration at our projects to deliver significant value to our shareholders.
“With funding secured following the recent completion of the entitlement offer, the sale of the Australian exploration assets and completion of the additional raising we are positioned for a busy and productive 2026.”
Rapid build
Holland said he sees considerable upside in Askari’s African portfolio and the opportunity to rapidly build high-grade ounces through targeted exploration.
“I have reviewed numerous gold and copper projects, and I see a compelling opportunity in joining AS2 to unlock substantial high-grade gold ounces across its portfolio.
“With a significant body of historical drilling already completed and with the company funded with a clear plan to accelerate exploration, I believe the pathway ahead is well defined. I’m confident we can deliver strong shareholder value while building long-term, in-country relationships to support the successful development of these projects.”