13 July
2020
ALTONA ENERGY
PLC
(“Altona” or “the Company”)
APPOINTMENT OF
MINING CONSULTANTS
Altona (AQSE: ANR.PL), a mining exploration company with a new
strategic focus on Rare Earth Element (“REE”) mining projects in
Africa, announces the appointment
of two highly experienced consultants with immediate effect.
The appointments have been made to assist the Company progress
the proposed acquisition of Akatswiri Rare Earth Pvt Ltd, as
announced on 2 June 2020 and also in
consideration of further possible investments in similar REE
projects in Africa. The board,
taking note of the historic failings of Altona, is cognisant that
to provide the best opportunity for success in developing highly
technical mining projects, it needs to work closely, from day one,
with a team of qualified advisers.
Consultant Metallurgist – Gavin Beer
Gavin Beer (aged 54) is a
metallurgist with more than 30 years’ experience in technical and
operational roles and has spent the past 13 years exclusively
working within the Rare Earth and Energy materials sector. He has
been employed by or has consulted to over 12 REE companies
including Arafura Resources, Peak Resources, Hastings Technology
Metals and Pensana Metals. He is presently engaged by Neometals in
the role of General Manager Metallurgy and has been retained by
RareX and Hexagon Resources as a Technical Advisor.
Gavin is a Member and Chartered Professional of the Australasian
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He is recognised as a Competent
Person for JORC and as a Qualified Person for NI 43-101 with
respect to his metallurgical expertise and is globally recognised
as a leading metallurgical expert in the rare earth industry.
Consultant Geologist – Cedric Simonet
Cédric Simonet (aged 47) holds a PhD in Geology and has 25
years’ experience exploring, developing and mining mineral deposits
in Africa and in France. He was Head Geologist and Open Pit
Manager at SOGEREM fluorspar mine (Alcan, France) and Africa Region Manager with IGE
Resources AB. He is a co-founder of Akili Minerals Services, a
Nairobi based exploration services
company, and has been involved in several exploration projects on
REE-carbonatites in Kenya
including Ruri, Homa Mountain, Buru
and Mrima.
Cedric is also a former Chairman of the Kenya Chamber of Mines,
and well experienced in operating in this and many other African
countries.
Cédric is a member of the European Geologists Federation (Eur
Geol no 739). He qualifies to act as a Competent Person (JORC) and
as a Qualified Person (NI43-101) on REE-carbonatite exploration
projects.
Christian Taylor-Wilkinson,
Interim CEO of Altona, commented, “We are delighted to announce
the appointment of Gavin and Cedric to work alongside the board of
Altona in their capacity as Consultant Metallurgist and Geologist,
respectively. Their collective experience provides a significant
level of knowledge that should offer shareholders a high degree of
comfort to the timely development of the projects into which we are
embarking.
“The global increase in the demand for electric vehicles is
driving demand for REEs, particularly Neodymium and Praseodymium
(known commonly as “NdPr”), as well as other ‘technology’ metals
which are used in permanent magnets, a key component in electric
vehicle manufacturing. This evidence is, we believe, strong enough
for Altona to pursue a strategy of investments in this sector.”
-ends-
For further information, please visit www.altonaenergy.com or
contact:
Altona Energy
plc
Christian Taylor-Wilkinson, Interim CEO
Philip Sutherland, Non-Executive Director |
+44 (0) 7795 168 157
+61 (0)402 440 339 |
Alfred Henry
Corporate Finance Ltd (Aquis Corporate Adviser)
Jon Isaacs / Nick Michaels |
+44 (0) 20 3772 0021 |
|
|
Leander (Financial
PR)
|
+44 (0) 7795 168
157 |
Company Information
Altona is a mining exploration company focused on the
evaluation, development and extraction of Rare Earth Element (REE)
metals.
The Company was admitted to trading on AIM on 10 March 2005 and was subsequently admitted to
Aquis Stock Exchange (previously NEX) on 1 February 2019. A
copy of its Admission documents dated 4
March 2005 can be accessed on its website,
www.altonaenergy.com. This website is where items can be
inspected under Rule 75 of the Aquis Rules for Issuers, from
1 February 2019.