Jindalee Resources Ltd (ASX:JRL) has welcomed highly experienced lithium industry executive Darren Wates to the board as an independent non-executive director.
With more than 12 years of experience with Australian lithium industry pioneer Neometals Ltd (ASX:NMT, OTC:RDRUY, AIM:NMT), including his current role as consulting general counsel to NMT through specialist corporate and commercial law firm Corpex Legal, of which he is the founder and principal, Wates brings strong legal skills to Jindalee’s operations and leadership team.
The company is now looking to further strengthen its board with appointments that can help it become a meaningful player in US battery minerals sector.
Jindalee has direct and indirect exposure to lithium, gold, base and strategic metals, iron ore, uranium and magnesite through projects generated by the company’s technical team.
Broadening US presence
On the ground, Jindalee is also strengthening its US presence, with personnel that can help it plan and implement current and future drill campaigns at the 100%-owned McDermitt Lithium Project in Oregon, USA.
Just a week ago the company set the diamond drill spinning at McDermitt in a program aimed at infilling and extending the existing mineral resource estimate (MRE).
Read more: Jindalee Resources higher as diamond drill spins in new McDermitt Lithium Project program
Contacts and experience
New appointments come as Patricia Farr retires from the board of the company. She will continue to act as Jindalee’s company secretary.
Jindalee chairman Justin Mannolini said of the recent board changes, “We are delighted to welcome Darren Wates to the board of Jindalee.
"Darren brings a wealth of experience and contacts in the lithium industry, having assisted Neometals in the formative stages of its Mt Marion Joint Venture with Ganfeng and Mineral Resources Limited and its exit from the arrangement in 2019 as part of its strategy to focus on lithium-ion battery recycling.
“I also take this opportunity to thank Trish for her loyal service as a director of Jindalee and acknowledge her substantial contribution to the company both in that capacity and as company secretary over a period of more than 20 years. We are pleased that Trish will continue her long association with Jindalee in the role of company secretary.”