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West Wits Mining (ASX:WWI) appoints Jac van Heerden as Managing Director

ASX News, Mining
ASX:WWI      MCAP $134.8M
17 April 2020 05:00 (AEDT)

West Wits Mining (WWI) has promoted CEO Jac van Heerden to the Board as Managing Director, effective immediately.

For the past 16 months, Jac was CEO of West Wits and in this role he re-focused the company’s operations on underground mine development.

Jac will primarily focus on operations in South Africa as West Wits ramps up activities in this country. He will complete feasibility work and begin underground mine development.

Further, Jac has increased his workload to support West Wits’ exploration at the Mt Cecelia project in Western Australia.

Before joining West Wits, Jac oversaw operations at a cobalt and copper project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as mining operations, processing facilities, and community responsibilities such as a school and hospital.

“West Wits presents an outstanding opportunity, the Witwatersrand Basin Project provides a solid foundation to build WWI into a mid-tier gold producer as the gold sector continues to strengthen,” Jac commented.

“I’m delighted to accept the Board’s offer to become Managing Director and lead this high-calibre team through the next stage of growth towards production,” he added.

Additionally, Peter O’Malley has joined the Board as Non-Executive Director.

He has extensive experience in advising companies and investors relating to debt and equity transactions, and optimisation strategies.

Currently, Peter is Managing Partner of investment company, Kenosis Capital, and he has advised West Wits since early 2019.

It is hoped that his experience working in South Africa will provide the company a more thorough understanding of the operational environment of the country.

Finally, Niel Pretorius has resigned as Non-Executive Director of West Wits to focus on his increasing workload.

He joined West Wits’ Board in 2007, representing one of the company’s major shareholders, DRD Gold, which is South Africa’s largest gold-tailings processor.

The changes reflect West Wits’ transition from a gold-explorer to a mile developer.

The company is now confident that it has the right skill set to execute its strategy of becoming a mid-tier gold producer.

“The Board restructure executes part of the company’s strategic plan as the Witwatersrand Basin Project gears towards the development of the underground mine, introducing skillsets to improve the Board’s capability to drive activity,” Chairman Michael Quinert commented.

West Wits has ended the day 9.09 per cent in the red with shares trading for one cent each.

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