Neil Biddle returns to TNG Limited after lithium, gold successes
TNG’s balance sheet was strengthened further this week after it received a $5.14 million R&D tax rebate.
More than a decade ago Neil Biddle oversaw the early exploration life of TNG Limited (ASX: TNG) and is now returning to the company as non-executive chairman when it is on the brink of development at its Mount Peake critical metals project.
In the intervening years his successes have included being a co-founder of Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) and the acquisition of its company-making Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project in Western Australia.
TNG describes him as “one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs and executives” over the past decade in the fast-growing battery materials sector.
He was also one of the founders of the former Bardoc Gold, acquired earlier this year for $157 million by St Barbara (ASX: SBM).
Mr Biddle has a 30-year career as a geologist and mining executive.
The present chairman, John Elkington, will move to a non-executive director role as TNG works through the development and production phase at the Mount Peake critical metals project in the Northern Territory.
‘No one with greater experience and better qualifications’
Mount Peake, 235km north of Alice Springs, is expected to be a long-life project leading to the supply of strategic products, including vanadium pentoxide, titanium dioxide pigment, and iron ore fines.
Mount Peake has received major project status from both the federal and Northern Territory governments.
Mr Biddle worked on the early stages at Mount Peake when it was initially a nickel sulphide target.
The exploration manager at that time was Paul Burton who oversaw the discovery of the vanadium-titanium-iron deposit at Mount Peake. Mr Burton then went on to become chief executive officer in 2009.
Outgoing chairman Mr Elkington was lavish in his welcome to Mr Biddle.
“I can think of no one with greater experience or better qualifications than Neil to lead the board as we move into this next exciting phase of our growth,” he said.
Oversaw TNG’s evolving from gold explorer
Before his first period with TNG, Mr Biddle had served as managing director at Consolidated Victorian Mines (1991-1994) and then Border Gold (1994-1998) — both of which, incidentally, transformed to e-commerce companies during the 1999-2000 dot.com bubble.
At TNG, Mr Biddle was at the helm and managing the transition of the company from its previous name of Hallmark Gold with the development of its large exploration portfolio in the Northern Territory.
This included a multi-commodity portfolio in the Tennant Creek area and the Manbarrum zinc project in Western Australia.