Newfield Resources Ltd (ASX:NWF) has strengthened its executive skillset with the appointment of Charl Barnard as general manager of the Tongo Diamond Mine in Sierra Leone.
Barnard is an experienced business leader and manager with a consistent track record of successful project delivery over 25 years in eastern Europe, Central Asia, West, East and Southern Africa.
Notably, he also has a proven background on transitioning operations from the capital investment stage to cash generative and production focused stages.
“Producer of high-quality diamonds”
Commenting on Charl’s appointment Newfield executive director Karl Smithson said: “The directors are delighted to appoint someone of the calibre of Charl to the general manager’s position at the Tongo Diamond Mine.
“As Newfield transitions the Tongo Mine to its status as a producer of high-quality diamonds, Charl’s experience and track record of delivery will be an asset to the company.
“Furthermore, with his strong background in underground diamond mining operations, HSE and ESG management Charl will drive this transition with a complete focus on compliance, safety and sustainability.”
Notable roles
In the past 15 years, Charl has held senior roles as part of the group executive committee for Petra Diamonds and has served as in-country and general manager on large and small opencast and underground diamond mines in Sierra Leone, Tanzania and South Africa.
Charl has also served as group head of Health, Safety and Environment with a strong focus on ESG management and reporting, and with a proven record of risk management successfully improving safety statistics on every operation he has managed.
Smithson adds: “The recent appointment of experienced non-executive director Alistair Croll to the board, and now of a general manager for Tongo, is consistent with Newfield’s strategic plan of strengthening the senior management to enhance corporate governance, compliance and capacity to align with Newfield’s growth from an exploration and development company to a production-focused company.
“We look forward to providing further corporate and operational updates as we progress.”
About Tongo
The Tongo Diamond Mine Development comprises two adjacent mining licences covering a combined area of 134 square kilometres in eastern Sierra Leone.
Tongo hosts 11 identified diamondiferous kimberlites, only five of which are incorporated in the current JORC-compliant indicated and inferred diamond resource estimate of 8.3 million carats.
Of this resource, a 1.1 million carat probable reserve, has been estimated.