Ardiden Limited (ASX: ADV) has named experienced mining executive, Bruce McFadzean, as its Independent Non-Executive Chairman.
Mr McFadzean, a qualified mining engineer, has over 40 years’ experience in company leadership, corporate transformation, strategy, project construction, company mergers and acquisitions.
He was the Managing Director of ASX gold miner Catalpa Resources Limited, which under his management saw its market capitalisation grow from A$10 million to A$1.2 billion following the merger to create Evolution Mining Limited (ASX: EVN).
Ten years on, Evolution is the third largest Australian gold producer and is bolstered by the acquisition of its own Canadian gold operations at Red Lake – where Ardiden is an up-and-coming explorer.
Mr McFadzean is currently Non-Executive Chairman of mining technology company Aquirian Limited (ASX: AQN) and is Non-Execitive Director of Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (ASX: HAS).
He has led the financing, development, and operation of several new mines around the world and has extensive experience in gold, copper, and other commodities.
His professional career also includes 15 years with BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto in a variety of positions and five years as Managing Director of Sheffield Resources (ASX: SFX), where he was recently successful in delivering the A$143 million Kimberley Mineral Sands Joint Venture for the Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project.
This key appointment comes at a pivotal time for Ardiden, with the company commencing a significant period of exploration drilling at its District scale Pickle Lake Gold Project, situated just east of Evolution’s Red Lake Gold operations in Ontario.
Ardiden was recently granted a permit drill at the Esker Gold Prospect at the Pickle Lake Gold Project. The company is preparing for a maiden 4,000m diamond drilling programme at Esker, part of 12,000m of planned drilling at Pickle Lake,that is set to commence in early January 2022.
The company also recently joint ventured its Lithium assets to a free carry position to enable it to focus on its compelling gold project.
“We warmly welcome Bruce as Independent Chair. His extensive gold experience, global network and company-making track record will be of great benefit to Ardiden.
We have provided Bruce with extensive technical background to the Pickle Lake Gold Project and surrounding area and are encouraged by his shared belief in the opportunity to make significant gold discoveries in this vastly under-explored District,” said Ardiden Non-Executive Director, Neil Hackett.
Mr McFadzean said Ardiden has a very experienced and technically robust project team.
We are extremely positive about the list of prospective targets identified for drilling and testing commencing in early 2022,” he added.
With the appointment of Mr McFadzean to the Ardiden board, Mr Hackett has moved to the position of Non-Executive Director.