Queensland Pacific Metals appoints experienced mining engineer as non-executive director

Queensland Pacific Metals Ltd (ASX:QPM) (FRA:4EA) has appointed Jim Simpson, a highly experienced mining engineer, as a non-executive director of the company effective May 1, 2021. According to the company, Simpson is a highly respected and experienced mining engineer with considerable public company board and management experience. He is currently executive director mining at Peel Mining Limited (ASX:PEX), which is developing large-scale and high-grade base metal deposits in the Cobar Superbasin in western New South Wales. Before this, Simpson was managing director and CEO at Aurelia Metals Ltd (ASX:AMI). During this time, Aurelia’s market capitalisation increased from sub $20 million to over $800 million at its peak, along the way repaying more than $125 million of debt and increasing the company’s production profile with the acquisition of Peak Gold Mines in 2017/18. “Delighted” with appointment Queensland Pacific’s chairman Eddie King said: “I am delighted that someone of Jim’s calibre has chosen to join the board of QPM. “Jim brings with him a wealth of resources and corporate experience and has a detailed understanding of what is required when taking a resources project through its technical feasibility and funding/development phases and ultimately into production. “I look forward to working with Jim during this period and beyond.” Experience in mining industry Simpson has more than 30 years of mining industry experience, specialising in underground metalliferous mining. His experience ranges from mine development and management through to corporate and equity market participation. Previous roles include chief operating officer & executive vice president for Peak Gold Ltd; general manager & director at Goldcorp Asia Pacific, Peak Gold Mines; and general manager Mining Lead Zinc at MIM Holdings, Mt Isa. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Mining (Hons) degree from the University of NSW and a Diploma of Business (Frontline Management) and is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Completing DFS for TECH Project This appointment happens when the company is moving to complete a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the TECH Project following the recent $20 million capital raising. The company believes his experience with bringing projects through their feasibility and development phases and into production will be important as QPM makes its transition into a producer of battery chemicals in Australia. Simpson said: “It is an exciting time to be joining the QPM team as they progress the TECH Project. “I am looking forward to being involved in both the production of battery chemicals and building advanced manufacturing capacity here in Australia. “Furthermore, QPM has built an innovative and fast-paced technical and commercial team with all the required requisite skills to ultimately build the project.”