Matador Mining Ltd (ASX:MZZ, OTCQX:MZZMF) has strengthened its board with the geological expertise and strong Newfoundland background of new non-executive director Kerry Sparkes, with the appointment to take effect on September 1, 2022.
The company’s non-executive chairman Justin Osborne said Matador was pleased to welcome such a highly respected and accomplished international mining executive to the board, after acting as an advisor to the company over the last 12 months.
Sparkes is a resident of St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador with more than 30 years of extensive experience as a well-respected geologist in global mineral exploration.
Involved in discoveries
During his career, Sparkes has been directly involved in discovering and advancing major mineral deposits, including the Ovoid discovery at Voisey’s Bay Nickel Project in Newfoundland and Labrador.
He has held several executive roles including serving most recently as vice president, Geology, for Franco-Nevada Corporation (TSX:FNV), the world’s largest gold-focused royalty and streaming company. Additionally, he served as vice president, Exploration, at Rainy River Resources and Messina Minerals.
“Passionate Newfoundland voice”
Osborne added: "Kerry has had a tremendous career making major mineral discoveries and creating substantial shareholder value.
“He also adds a passionate and strategic Newfoundland voice to our board which is critical in this emerging frontier.
"With his appointment as a director, we look forward to Kerry’s increased and continued involvement in the company as we seek to make new discoveries along our extensive tenement package.”
Sparkes, a graduate of Memorial University in Newfoundland with undergraduate and graduate degrees, began his career as an exploration geologist for Noranda Exploration.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Aurion Resource Ltd and provides ongoing technical advisory services to Franco-Nevada and Prime Mining Corp.
“A solid foundation”
The new non-executive director said: “I have had the fortunate opportunity to extensively explore Newfoundland at various times over a 30-year period including the Cape Ray Shear Zone throughout the early 2000s.
"I look forward to my increased involvement with Matador serving alongside a highly respected and successful board and supporting new CEO Sam Pazuki’s vision of being the next significant gold company in Newfoundland.
"Matador has a solid foundation in which to grow. The company has a defined gold mineral resource. It has an extensive land package situated on highly prospective geological trends that currently host several major mineral deposits. These are key ingredients for the company to make major new discoveries.”