American West Metals Limited (ASX: AW1) has appointed highly experienced resources executive Dan Lougher to join the Board of Directors from November 9, 2022, as a Non-Executive Director initially, and then commence as Non- Executive Chairman from February 1, 2023.
In a distinguished career spanning 40 years, Mr Lougher has established industry leading credentials for the development and operation of large-scale mining assets in the base and precious metals sector. He has successfully built multiple mines, managing all facets of project development from resource definition, feasibility studies, project financing, mine construction and the negotiation of off-take contracts.
He joined Western Areas in 2006 and occupied the roles of General Manager, Operations and Projects, followed by an appointment to the Board as Executive Director – Operations and rising to the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive – a role he occupied from 2012 until the takeover of Western Areas by IGO in 2022.
At Western Areas, he managed the construction of the Flying Fox mine and Cosmic Boy concentrator – an operation that is still delivering today, 17 years after being commissioned. He also led the feasibility activities for the Spotted Quoll open pit and underground mine, as well as construction of that mine and all associated infrastructure. In 2015, he initiated another growth phase for Western Areas with the strategic acquisition of the Cosmos Nickel Operations.
Mr Lougher negotiated market-leading off-take sale arrangements for Western Areas including the development of a full logistical chain for the sale of offtake to domestic and international buyers.
Mr Lougher is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He holds a B.Sc. (Honours) Mining Geology from the University of Leicester, a Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Mining) from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Perseus Mining Limited with the roles of Chair of the Technical Committee and Chair of the Nomination Committee.
John Prineas will assume the role of Non-Executive Director following Mr Lougher’s appointment as Non-Executive Chairman on February 1, 2023.
“We are very pleased to have attracted someone of Dan’s calibre to the American West Metals team. His appointment is an endorsement of our growth strategy and testament to the outstanding opportunity ahead as we rapidly progress our advanced copper and zinc assets,” Dave O’Neill, Managing Director of American West Metals, said.
“We are confident that his experience and successful track record in project development, mine construction and corporate growth will provide great value to the Board of American West and our shareholders.
“Dan’s decision to join American West endorses our view of the potential at our North American projects to deliver more significant discoveries as well as robust mining proposals for the development of new mining operations.”
Mr Lougher said the team at American West Metals have established a quality portfolio of projects in excellent jurisdictions.
“The work already completed at the projects – particularly the exceptional drill results at Storm and West Desert – underscores their compelling exploration and development potential.
“I am excited about joining American West Metals at this pivotal time when there is a clear opportunity to significantly advance the projects and create substantial shareholder value. I look forward to working with Dave and the team to deliver further significant project growth and develop American West Metals into a leading clean energy metals mining company.”
For further information please visit: https://stgm.com.au/
