Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX:CHN, OTCQB:CGMLF) has announced some key changes to its board just one day after publicising its gold-centric spinout.
Founder and chair Tim Goyder, who led the CHN team for 15 years, will retire at the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) in November.
His successor is Chalice’s newest independent non-executive director - Derek La Ferla - who will take up the reins as chair and oversee Chalice’s new direction as a Julimar-focused explorer next month.
To facilitate the transition, Goyder will stay with the Chalice team in a part-time, advisory role until June next year.
La Ferla’s appointment is subject to shareholder approval, but his selection means the Chalice board will include five independent non-executive directors.
Next stage of Chalice’s story
Speaking to Goyder’s retirement and La Ferla’s appointment, managing director and CEO Alex Dorsch said: “On behalf of the Chalice team, I would like to extend my most heartfelt thanks and absolute best wishes to Tim, who has been an incredible influence on me both professionally and personally.
“I owe him a huge amount of gratitude for his exceptional leadership and guidance over the past four years.
“Tim has steered the company through a remarkable journey over the past 15 years, overseeing its transition from gold exploration in Australia and northern Africa to its current status as one of the most exciting discovery stories in recent history.
“Chalice has delivered a remarkable return to shareholders over this time, and Tim has been absolutely pivotal in driving this long-term success.
“We wish him the very best for a well-earned retirement, and we are very grateful for his continued support in an advisory capacity.
“I’d also like to welcome Derek La Ferla to the Chalice team. We are incredibly fortunate to have secured his services at such a pivotal time in the company’s growth trajectory.
“Derek has an impressive track record and is highly regarded in the industry. We believe he is the perfect candidate to take up the position of Chair following Tim’s retirement.”
Handing over the baton
Goyder founded Chalice back in 2006 and led the company over 15 years, recently overseeing the historic Julimar nickel-copper-platinum group element (PGE) discovery.
However, as the explorer moves into its next stage of development, he believes now is the best time to retire and hand over the baton to the next leader.
Goyder stated: “It has been truly amazing to be a part of Chalice’s growth trajectory over the past 15 years, and help steer the company’s development from humble beginnings to a leading ASX 200 explorer and developer.
“I am incredibly proud of my time with the company and equally proud of the team’s achievements.
“After a 40-plus year career that has delivered great successes as well as great challenges, I’m ready to take a step back and lessen my workload to focus on my personal interests.
I do this with absolute confidence that the company is in a position of exceptional strength and is ready to embark on an exciting new chapter led by Derek and Alex, and supported by our senior executive team.
“I will continue to remain a major shareholder in Chalice and see a hugely positive outlook for both the company and for the wider mining industry.
I will continue to advise the Chalice team and will watch on intently as the company continues to discover, grow and develop.”
Incoming chair
Goyder’s successor, Derek La Ferla, was appointed to the independent non-executive directorship today.
From November, he’ll seek re-election at the company’s AGM to the position of chair, subject to shareholder approval.
In the past, La Ferla has chaired businesses on the ASX 200 and boasts wide-ranging board experience in Western Australia.
Since 2010, he worked at the helm of mid-tier copper miner Sandfire Resources Ltd, seeing the company through its feasibility, development and operational stages.
Outside his responsibilities at Chalice, La Ferla chairs Poseidon Nickel Ltd (ASX:POS, OTC:PSDNF, FRA:NYG1), a board member with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a WA Council member.
La Ferla will chair Chalice’s board remuneration committee and will also join the nomination committee.
Commenting on his appointment, the incoming chair said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to succeed one of the mining industry’s most respected leaders as chair of Chalice Mining, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming AGM.
“Tim has built an incredible team at Chalice, and I am very much looking forward to working closely with Alex and the high-quality board and senior leadership team as the company embarks on this next exciting chapter of its journey.
“Julimar is one of the most significant new discoveries in Australia in the past decade and it has unlocked an entirely new mineral province in WA.
“With the impending delivery of a maiden resource estimate and the commencement of mining studies, Julimar is entering an exciting new phase of its development, and I believe my experience in overseeing a similar path at Sandfire allows me to make a very strong strategic contribution to the project and company.
“I believe the positive demand outlook for the green metals found at Julimar, combined with the quality of the deposit, will ultimately see Julimar become one of the most important new mine developments in Western Australia in recent years.”