Kalamazoo Resources promotes highly-credentialled exploration specialist to CEO role

Kalamazoo Resources (ASX: KZR) has promoted its exploration manager Dr Luke Mortimer to take over as chief executive officer.

Dr Mortimer had been in his previous role since 2019, during which time he was integral in helping expand the company’s exploration project portfolio across Australia.

In a shake-up at the board and management level, Dr Mortimer will take over the chief executive officer reins from Kalamazoo co-founder Luke Reinehr, who had held the position since 2019.

Mr Reinehr will continue as executive chairman of Kalamazoo and non-executive chairman of Kali Metals (ASX: KM1).

The changes come just days after Kalamazoo welcomed the completion of a spinoff of its Australian lithium projects via a demerger and the successful $15 million initial public offering of Kali Metals.

Mr Reinehr praised the appointment of Dr Mortimer, who he said was an important component in the expansion of the company’s gold and lithium assets in the Pilbara in WA, the central Victorian goldfields and the Lachlan Fold Belt of Victoria/NSW.

“Dr Mortimer has played a key role in Kalamazoo’s growth and development since 2019, as exploration manager of Kalamazoo and more recently of Kali,” Mr Reinehr said.

“With the recent successful spin-out of our lithium assets into Kali, our focus with Kalamazoo is on advancing its gold exploration projects in Western Australia and Victoria, as well as pursuing new opportunities and this is where we consider Luke will play a leading role.”

Significant exploration experience

Dr Mortimer previously held senior roles with WMC Exploration Division and MMG exploring worldwide for a range of commodities including gold, copper, nickel and base metals.

He was also Kali’s exploration manager until its recent listing.

He said he is looking forward to progressing his new role as chief executive officer of Kalamazoo.

“It is a privilege to be appointed to the role of chief executive officer as Kalamazoo moves into the next phase of delivering tangible and ongoing returns for our shareholders.”

“With the assistance of the board it will be my role to lead our highly-talented team in advancing our gold exploration assets as well as acquiring and discovering new resource projects that create tangible shareholder value.”

“I have had the pleasure of working alongside Luke since 2019 and look forward to continuing to work closely with him and the board moving forward.”

New gold focus

The spinoff of the lithium assets into Kali now allows Kalamazoo to focus on progressing its highly prospective gold projects in Western Australia and Victoria.

The company has exploration programs currently underway in Victoria and has commenced planning for its 2024 programs across its project portfolio.

Dr Mortimer said his immediate goal as chief executive officer is preparing for these exploration programs, which are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of the year.