Rokeby Resources (ASX:RKB) has appointed Richard Beazley as managing director and Tim Pallas as independent non-executive chairman, marking a significant leadership reset as the company moves forward with the proposed acquisition of the Omeo Gold Project in Victoria.
The appointments are effective immediately and come as Rokeby positions itself to advance Omeo, an advanced, high-grade gold asset underpinned by a historical mineral resource estimate of 2.4 million tonnes at 4.02 g/t gold for 320,000 ounces.
Current chief executive officer Trevor Benson will transition to the board as a non-executive director, providing continuity as the company enters its next phase, while current chairman Adam Taylor has retired from the board after serving in the role since early 2022.
Beazley brings technical and operational depth
Incoming managing director Richard Beazley is a mining engineer with more than 35 years of technical, operational and corporate experience across the resources sector.
He is currently director of Altair Mining Consultancy, non-executive chair of Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, NASDAQ:NVA) and executive director of Troy Resources Ltd. He was also, until recently, non-executive chair of MetalsGrove Mining Ltd (ASX:MGA) and a non-executive director of Catalina Resources Ltd (ASX:CTN).
His appointment gives Rokeby a technically experienced managing director as it prepares to undertake exploration and development work at Omeo, where the company sees potential across the Mt Wills goldfield.
“I am delighted to be joining Rokeby at such a pivotal moment for the company,” Beazley said.
“The Omeo Gold Project is a genuinely exciting asset — high-grade, historically productive, and with substantial exploration upside that remains significantly underappreciated.
“The 5.8-kilometre mineralised corridor at Mt Wills has been tested over only a fraction of its strike length, and I look forward to leading a systematic, technically-driven program to unlock its full potential.”
Pallas adds public sector and resources experience
Tim Pallas joins Rokeby as independent non-executive chairman, bringing almost 20 years of experience in the Victorian Parliament.
Pallas was Victoria’s longest-serving standalone Treasurer, holding the role from 2014 to 2024, and also served in portfolios including resources, economic growth, major projects, industrial relations, roads and ports.
His appointment brings public leadership, policy and major project experience to the board at a time when Rokeby is seeking to establish Omeo as its cornerstone asset in Victoria.
“The acquisition of Omeo marks a genuinely transformational moment for Rokeby, and I am pleased to be joining the company at this stage of its development,” Pallas said.
“Victoria has a proud and productive gold mining history, and the Mt Wills goldfield has the credentials to be a significant contributor to that story.”
Omeo to drive next phase
Rokeby said the leadership changes represented a strengthening of both board and management capability as it progresses the Omeo acquisition and broader growth strategy.
The Omeo Gold Project includes the Maude and Sunnyside deposits, which together host a historical estimate of 2.456 million tonnes at 4.0 g/t gold for 320,000 ounces.
The company has noted the estimate is historical and not reported in accordance with the JORC Code. A competent person has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as mineral resources or ore reserves under the JORC Code.
What comes next
Rokeby’s immediate focus will be on completing the Omeo acquisition and advancing a systematic exploration and development strategy across the project.
With Beazley leading management and Pallas chairing the board, the company said it was positioned to execute on its growth strategy and assess the full potential of Omeo as its cornerstone asset.