Firefinch appoints high performing resource industry executive as managing director

According to the company, new appointee Michael Anderson will bring a proven track record for execution, value creation and understanding of mining projects.

The new MD has extensive management and technical experience in Africa and Australia.

Firefinch Ltd (ASX:FFX) (OTCMKTS:EEYMF) (FRA:N9F) has appointed respected and high performing resource industry executive Michael Anderson as managing director with effect from April 6, 2021.

Anderson has extensive management and technical experience in Africa and Australia built up over a career spanning 30 years.

He joins Firefinch from major resource-focused asset management firm Taurus Funds Management, where he serves as director.

Taurus manages A$2.5 billion of funds invested across commodities and geographies, and Anderson has had substantial African experience, having helped lead Taurus’ investment into numerous West African gold producers.

“Proven track record”

Firefinch’s executive chairman Alistair Cowden said: “We welcome Michael Anderson to the Firefinch team and I am personally delighted to have such a high-calibre individual to lead the company during this exciting phase in its corporate life.

“Michael brings a proven track record for execution, value creation and understanding of mining projects.

“Michael is very well known to the industry and the investment community and brings a deep, global investor network. We are thrilled with his appointment.”

Changes to board

Cowden has acted as executive chairman over the past year and will resume the role of non-executive chairman.

He will retain carriage of the Goulamina Lithium Project partnering and demerger process until an executive team is appointed to the new lithium company.

Anderson’s experience

In his career, Anderson has also acted in an executive capacity for a copper producer and represented Taurus’ interests on the board of several investee companies.

As managing director of Exco Resources, Anderson led the company to a number of major achievements, including transitioning from explorer to profitable producer through the successful development of the White Dam Gold Mine.

He was also instrumental in the advancement of resource development, feasibility studies and approvals for the Cloncurry Copper Project ahead of its ultimate sale to Xstrata for A$175 million; numerous funding arrangements and significant share price re-rating and a fivefold increase in market capitalisation.

Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining Geology and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mining Geology both from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, University of London.