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Blackstone Minerals strengthens team ahead of building Ta Khoa Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in Vietnam

Last updated: 12:50 29 Oct 2020 AEDT, First published: 11:53 29 Oct 2020 AEDT

Blackstone Minerals Ltd - Blackstone Minerals strengthens team to build Ta Khoa Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in Vietnam
Blackstone Minerals is redeveloping the district-scale Ta Khoa Project in northern Vietnam

Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX) has strengthened its leadership team as it advances quickly along the path to redeveloping the Ta Khoa Nickel Project in northern Vietnam.

The company has appointed Andrew Strickland as head of project development and Richard Kitchener as general manager of operations at the Ta Khoa project.

Blackstone has also promoted existing employees Steve Ennor to the role of general manager of project development and Vũ Hồng Cấm Vân to general manager of commercial.

Managing director Scott Williamson said these key appointments were important steps towards delivering the redevelopment of the Ta Khoa project over the coming years.

“Invaluable experience”

He said: "Mr Strickland’s and Mr Kitchener’s skills and experience will be invaluable as the company embarks on the next phase of its strategy to produce downstream nickel products for the lithium-ion battery industry.

“Our leadership team is very excited to continue to build and grow in a way that elevates the experience of our shareholders and creates optimal solutions for both the near-term and long-term as we develop Ta Khoa into a fully integrated mine-to-market nickel business.

“I look forward to continuing this journey with our growing leadership team.”

Key personnel to drive mine-to-market nickel business

Strickland will lead the development of the Ta Khoa project, with previous experience as senior study manager for GR Engineering Services where he was responsible for delivering a series of scoping and feasibility studies for Australian and international projects.

As general manager, Kitchener will lead, plan and execute all operational activity to ensure a smooth transition into production.

He was mining and geology manager at Masan Group’s Nui Phao mine in Northern Vietnam for the past 10 years, responsible for the development systems and procedures of all contracts during the development and operation of the mine.

Ennor will manage the transition of the processing facilities from construction to operational readiness.

He is a metallurgist with 30 years’ experience in gold and base metals processing, including senior management and operational positions in Australia, Africa and South East Asia.

Vũ Hồng Cấm Vân will act as general manager for commercial and will be responsible for managing all business and financials, external affairs and communications in Vietnam relating to the Ta Khoa Project in conjunction with the general manager of operations and general manager for project development.  

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