Classic Minerals appoints indigenous identity to board of directors
Classic Minerals’ new non-executive director Gillian King has a “wealth of experience” in human resources and indigenous affairs.
Aspiring gold producer Classic Minerals (ASX: CLZ) has appointed Noongar and Gurindji descendant Gillian King to the role of non-executive director with a focus on indigenous human resources.
Ms King is a local indigenous identity with a strong background in working with remote communities.
She has been employed with the WA Disability Services Commission as a social trainer and indigenous support worker for families experiencing domestic violence, and has worked as an employment consultant in the Pilbara region.
She is also qualified in training, assessing and mentoring indigenous community members to assist them in retaining employment.
Academically, Ms King has obtained a Certificate in Metalliferous Mining (Open Cut) and was a finalist in the 2004 Training and Excellence Awards.
Classic chairman John Lester welcomed Ms King to the board.
“[We have] been thoroughly impressed with Gillian’s knowledge, communication and understanding of our indigenous staff and we are delighted to have secured her services for this pivotal role,” he said.
“She brings a wealth of experience in human resources and indigenous affairs [to Classic] and will greatly assist the skill set of our current directors.”
Closer to production
Ms King’s appointment comes at a time when Classic moves closer to first production at its flagship Kat Gap gold project, 170km south of Southern Cross and 50km south of its historic Forrestania mine.
This week, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety granted the company a 21-year mining lease for the project through to April 2042.
The grant was considered a major milestone in Classic’s progression from explorer to mining company.
“A tremendous amount of work has been done by the whole team and we now have an even larger task ahead of us,” Mr Lester said.
“The challenges will be to produce gold from Kat Gap and cement our place in the ranks of gold producers in WA.”
He said a continued aggressive exploration effort is expected to lead to a “significant” upgrade of an initial JORC inferred resource of 92,869 ounces at 2.96 grams per tonne gold.