Artemis Resources (ASX: ARV) has kicked off 2025 with a significant leadership change, announcing Julian Hanna as its new Managing Director. The appointment is set to propel the company’s ambitious exploration strategy, with a major drilling campaign planned at the Karratha Gold Project in Western Australia.
Hanna, a seasoned mining executive, steps into the role following his tenure as Senior Technical Advisor. His appointment underscores Artemis’ commitment to advancing its exploration priorities and unlocking the value of its diverse portfolio in the Pilbara and Paterson regions.
Proven Track Record in Mining Leadership
Incoming Artemis Managing Director, Julian Hanna
Hanna’s name is well-known in mining circles, thanks to a storied career spanning decades. Most notably, he led Western Areas Ltd (ASX: WSA) from a start-up to a high-margin underground nickel miner and concentrate producer. Over 12 years at the helm, Western Areas became one of the premier players in the nickel market, culminating in its acquisition by IGO (ASX: IGO) in June 2022 for approximately $1 billion.
Following his success at Western Areas, Hanna turned his focus to copper, joining MOD Resources Ltd in 2013 as Managing Director. Under his leadership, the company consolidated a 300-kilometre holding in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt, leading to the discovery of two substantial open-pit copper deposits. MOD Resources was acquired by Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) in 2019 for $167 million. These achievements cement Hanna’s reputation as a leader capable of unlocking value through exploration and development.
Artemis Chairman Guy Robertson welcomed Hanna’s appointment, noting his ability to take projects from concept to realisation. “Julian’s leadership and vision will be pivotal as we embark on a transformative phase, including our extensive 2025 drilling campaign,” Robertson said.
A New Chapter for Artemis
Hanna steps into his new position as Artemis prepares to launch a $4 million drilling program targeting high-priority prospects within its flagship Karratha Gold Project. This follows a productive 2024 that laid a strong foundation for exploration activities.
The Karratha Gold Project remains the centrepiece of Artemis’ 2025 exploration focus, with key targets including:
- Carlow Extensions: Deeper drilling to uncover high-grade gold and copper potential.
- Marillion EM Anomaly: Testing a large conductive target near the Carlow deposit.
- Titan Gold Veins: Promising high-grade gold targets identified through surface sampling.
- Europa and Thorpe Zones: Recently defined areas with compelling geophysical indicators.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Hanna said, “Artemis has a tremendous portfolio of highly prospective assets, particularly at the Karratha Gold Project. The upcoming drilling program has the potential to deliver transformative discoveries, and I’m eager to lead the team in this exciting next phase.”
Farewell to a Key Contributor
Hanna’s arrival coincides with the departure of Executive Director George Ventouras, who has stepped down after 14 months to pursue other opportunities. Ventouras was instrumental in securing the $4 million capital raise that will now fund Artemis’ 2025 exploration activities. The company acknowledged his contributions and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Broader Strategic Outlook
While the Karratha Gold Project takes centre stage, Artemis continues to advance its lithium and copper ambitions. The Karratha Lithium Project, including the high-grade Mt Marie Prospect, sits within the Andover lithium corridor, which continues to attract attention. Meanwhile, the Paterson Central Gold-Copper Project, situated near Greatland Gold’s Havieron discovery, represents a promising long-term opportunity.
Artemis also owns the Radio Hill processing plant, a strategic asset located just 35 kilometres from Karratha, positioning the company to rapidly monetise discoveries.
The Road Ahead
Julian Hanna’s appointment marks a new era for Artemis Resources. His proven leadership, coupled with the company’s aggressive exploration strategy, sets the stage for a potentially transformative year. With the drills about to turn at several high-priority targets, the coming months will be critical for demonstrating the value of Artemis’ extensive Pilbara holdings.
Hanna’s track record at Western Areas and MOD Resources suggests he’s the right leader to navigate Artemis through this exciting phase. Investors can anticipate a steady flow of updates as the company works to unlock its considerable potential in Australia’s resource-rich landscape.
