Xantippe Resources bolsters operational and in-country skills with appointment of former Neo Lithium COO

Xantippe Resources Ltd (ASX:XTC, OTC:XTCPF) has strengthened its operational capabilities with the appointment of **riel Pindar, formerly chief operating officer (COO) of Neo Lithium Corp (TSX-V:NLC), as COO to advance the Carachi Pampa Project in Argentina.

The skills of Pindar are expected to enhance Xantippe’s lithium plans in Argentina as he has experience in a very similar project, 3Q, in the same Lithium Triangle jurisdiction.

This came during his time with Neo Lithium, of which he was a founding member and also served as COO until that company was sold to Zijin Mining last year.

Appropriate experience

He has more than 28 years of experience as a project executive in the development of mining and large-scale infrastructure projects in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Guinea, Mexico, Liberia and the United Kingdom.

The new Xantippe COO has decades of experience building large-scale mines and related infrastructure projects around the world, including processing facilities, rail and ports.

This includes more than 14 years of experience as an EPCM expert and 14 years of experience in project feasibility and development for large-scale mines including the Olympic Dam Expansion and RGP5 in Australia, Nimba Iron Project in Guinea and Alumbrera in Argentina.

“Excited for opportunity”

Pindar said, “I am very excited for this opportunity to work hand in hand with the Xantippe team, the local team in Argentina and authorities as we commence the execution of our strategic plan for this very unique project.”

READ: Xantippe Resources appoints new exec with dual CFO and company secretary role

This follows hot on the heels of the appointment of Kevin Lynn as chief financial officer (CFO) and company secretary, replacing Ranko Matic and Damon Cox in their respective roles.

Lynn is a chartered accountant with a Master of Finance, a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA) and Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) with some 35 years of experience in private and publicly listed companies.

He has particular expertise in mining and oil & gas, having acted in various roles as director, CFO and company secretary over the years.

Neo Lithium success story

It is the Neo Lithium experience that Xantippe is particularly enthusiastic about striving to replicate.

Neo Lithium was one of the major successes in the evolution of the Argentine lithium brine industry.

Having discovered its 3Q project in Catamarca in late 2015, it listed on the TSX-V in 2016, achieved a PEA by October 2017, a PFS by March of 2019 and its pilot plant began operations in September of that year.

In October of 2021, it was subject to an agreed takeover offer by the Chinese major, Zijin Mining Group, for more than US$770 million. That transaction closed in late January of 2022.

“Proven success”

Xantippe's executive chairman John Featherby said, “**riel has proven success in a very similar project in the same jurisdiction, which was sold for approximately C$1 billion last year.

"**riel and his team will use this experience and our strong relationships in-country to develop Carachi Pampa and create value for our shareholders.”

Pindar’s experience includes roles in senior project management for engineering firms Fluor (NYSE:FLR), Hatch and Engenium. He was at BHP Billiton as a deputy project director, and his position immediately prior to Neo Lithium, was as the general manager and head of Projects for Arcelor Mittal responsible for the development of projects across six countries - Canada, Mexico, UK, Guinea, Liberia and the US.

This strong skillset brings to Xantippe important experience and leadership capabilities to move the Carachi Pampa Project forward.