Ardea Resources Ltd (ASX:ARL) has appointed Brett Clark as managing director and CEO to drive its transition from nickel-cobalt explorer to operator.
He replaces Dr Matt Painter in the primary leadership role after he delivered a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the Goongarrie Nickel-Cobalt Project in Western Australia’s Goldfields.
Painter will move to the newly-created role of general manager gold in which he will focus on developing the company’s gold assets.
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Chair Katina Law said: “We have had an exceptional first 12 months as a listed company and this leadership transition is part of a well-planned move for our next 12 months and beyond.
“Matt has done a tremendous job leading and delivering the Goongarrie PFS, building a strong foundation from which we can advance, and will now focus his broad exploration skills on our gold assets.
“I am delighted that we have been able to secure someone of Brett’s skill and experience as we enter this next important phase of development.
“He brings exceptional expertise to drive the definitive feasibility study and financing stages for Goongarrie,” she said.
Experience in operations, development and funding
Clark is a senior executive and engineer with 25 years’ experience in operations, development and funding with corporate and operational expertise in nickel, gold and copper.
He has held project development and operations management roles with WMC Resources, Tethyan Copper, Rio Tinto Limited (ASX:RIO), Doonbeg Capital and Ernst and Young Corporate.
Clark also has extensive expertise as an investment banker in project finance and the capital markets in the US, Asia and the UK.
More recently as a board member of a battery minerals company, Clark has been at the forefront of battery metals and minerals strategic supply development.