Kodal Minerals PLC (LON:KOD), the mineral exploration and development company, has announced the appointment of Steven Zaninovich as project manager of the company's flagship Bougouni Lithium Project in southern Mali.
The group pointed out that Zaninovich is a highly accomplished senior executive in the resources sector with more than 25 years' experience in project management encompassing all stages of mine development.
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It said his most recent experience has been with the delivery and successful commissioning of ASX-listed lithium producer Tawana Resources Ltd's Bald Hill Lithium Project in Western Australia.
Prior to Tawana Resources Ltd, Zaninovich served as Chief Operating Officer with Gryphon Minerals before assuming the role of Vice President of Major Projects and becoming part of the Executive Management Team at Teranga Gold Corporation, following its acquisition of Gryphon.
Kodal Minerals said it has entered into a consultancy contract with Zivvo Pty Ltd, a company controlled by Zaninovich, under which he will provide services as Project Manager initially on a part-time basis but within three months becoming substantially a full-time role.
It added that Zaninovich’s appointment reflects the company's transition into the development phase as it targets initial production from Bougouni in 2020.
Bernard Aylward, CEO of Kodal Minerals, commented: "With a strong team behind us, an exciting lithium project which is delivering consistent high grades and has a scalable JORC Resource, a strategic investor and offtake partner secured and a defined development path in place, we believe we are strongly positioned to advance towards our target of first lithium production from Bougouni in 2020."