ChemX appoints former Northern Minerals CEO to lead role

ChemX has appointed veteran mining executive Mark Tory as its chief executive officer as it progresses resource definition drilling at the Jamieson Tank manganese and High Purity Alumina (HPA) projects.

Tory, who was most recently the chief executive officer of Northern Minerals (ASX:NTU), has more than 35 years’ of experience in the mining industry and accounting profession.

He was instrumental in the planning, construction, and operations of Northern Minerals’ heavy rare earth Pilot Plant in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and was also involved in multiple exploration programs and project studies at Northern Minerals, Crescent Gold, Anglo American and Homestake.

With his appointment, former interim managing director Stephen Strubel, will revert to his previous executive director role with additional responsibilities for corporate affairs.

But wait… there’s more!

ChemX Materials (ASX:CMX) has also appointed non-executive director Warrick Hazeldine as its non-executive chairman, replacing Kristie Young who stepped down as chair and director due to increasing commitments on various other boards.

Mr Hazeldine commented, “Mark brings skills and experience relevant to progressing our High Purity Alumina (HPA) plants as well as the ongoing exploration and development of the company’s battery manganese and rare earth elements/kaolin projects in South Australia.”

“The Board of ChemX appreciates the energy that Stephen brought to the role during his period as interim MD.”

Current activity

ChemX is currently carrying out a +5,000m drill program to infill the drill spacing over the northernmost 2km strike of Jamieson Tank as it prioritises the exploration of manganese over kaolin.

Downhole geophysics will be employed to derive an in-situ density and support the mineral resource estimate.

The company is also continuing advanced metallurgical test work to produce battery grade manganese sulphate, while actively engaging with potential customers with a view to meeting battery grade product specifications and securing early project participation from suitable downstream high-purity partners.

In late 2022, ChemX commissioned its integrated High Purity Alumina facility in Perth, Western Australia, following a successful prefeasibility study by Primero which confirmed the flow sheet design with no fatal flaws identified. ChemX is currently running its HPA Micro Plant as part of the optimisation process to provide data for the detailed design of the Pilot Plant.

The company is well positioned to take advantage of changes in global supply chains in particular the passing of The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which provides opportunities for producers of high purity battery materials which have a free trade agreement with the United States, such as Australia.

This article was developed in collaboration with ChemX Materials, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.