St George Mining (ASX: SGQ) has announced two important appointments to its in-country management team for the advanced, high-grade niobium-REE Araxá project in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Araxá is located in the world’s premier – and dominant – niobium production region and benefits from access to infrastructure and a skilled workforce. Drilling by previous explorers at the project has confirmed significant niobium and rare earths element mineralisation.
St George has appointed two senior Brazilian mining executives with extensive niobium experience to key in-country positions ahead of completion of the acquisition of Araxá. Both are former executives of CBMM, the world’s dominant producer of niobium with mining operations located immediately adjacent to, and in the same Barreiro carbonatite complex, as St George’s Araxá project. Combined, these executives bring more than 40 years’ experience in niobium and rare earths in Brazil across project development, mining, mineral processing, environmental management and product marketing.
Thiago Amaral has been appointed as Director, ESG and Technical Development for Araxá. At CBMM, Mr Amaral’s roles included:
- Head of Sustainability, responsible for licensing, environmental management and ESG programs;
- Global Quality and Product Regulation Coordinator, responsible for implementing best practices in production process and product regulation; and
- Business Development in China, responsible for sales and marketing of niobium in electronics, casting and other applications.
Adriano Rios has been appointed as Consultant, Mining Operations for Araxá. At CBMM, Mr Rios’ roles included:
- Director of Operations at COMIPA, responsible for all operations of the COMIPA joint venture between CBMM and CODEMIG (owned by the State of Minas Gerais); and
- Production Manager, responsible for planning, managing and monitoring mineral processing and metallurgy units – including the development of CBMM’s first rare earths processing capability.
St George remains on track to complete the acquisition of Araxá in late September/early October 2024.
“We are delighted to welcome Thiago Amaral and Adriano Rios to our Brazilian executive team as we enter a new era for St George shareholders,” St George executive chairman John Prineas said.
“Their deep knowledge of all facets of niobium mining, as well as the Araxá area and its community, will allow St George to quickly ramp up activities when we complete the project acquisition in the coming weeks.
“With these appointments St George acquires more than 40 years’ experience in managing mining operations in the Barreiro Carbonatite – including expertise in mine management, mineral processing, product development and environmental management. The unique skill set that Thiago and Adriano bring to St George will be invaluable as we progress our aim of building a globally significant niobium company.”
