White Cliff Minerals’ search for an Executive Chairman has struck an exploration success away from the ground, and highly successful mining authority Roderick McIllree has joined the board effective immediately as the company positions itself for a growth phase across a well-stocked portfolio.
Mr McIllree has founded and held senior positions with international mining companies including Medusa, Anvil, Kingrose alongside on-ground exploration companies, with all reaching a market cap exceeding A$100 million during his involvement – and three approaching A$1 billion.
Technical Director Edward Mead has also been promoted to Executive Director to focus his talents on exploration and business development programs, providing another pair of much sought-after hands at the top level to round out a White Cliff management team taking the next steps of development.
Mr McIllree said he had known most of the White Cliff team for many years and was truly excited by the prospect of working with a talented and trusted group.
“In terms of the path forward, we will focus on two fronts, firstly maximising short-term value from our large portfolio of highly prospective projects in Western Australia. Secondly, utilise our global networks to create a globally significant mining and exploration company for the long-term benefit of all stakeholders,” Mr McIllree said.
White Cliff Director Ross Cotton said that after a global search for a chairperson to strengthen the board, the company was delighted to have secured someone of Mr McIllree’s credentials.
“His extensive corporate and technical experience gives him an excellent understanding of how to best monetise our very exciting projects. Rod is a strong presenter, experienced in cultivating and maintaining stakeholder relationships and leading from the front,” Mr Cotton said.
Forward plan
White Cliff has established a broad scope of territory with potential for lithium, rare earth, gold, copper, cobalt, and nickel across Western Australia, but is not done looking for projects it expects to deliver increased shareholder value.
Mr McIllree’s global network is expected to see some use to identify and secure larger-scale assets, with a focus on developing critical metal assets in low-risk jurisdictions.
The Perth-based company recently made the acquisition of a highly prospective IOCG and rare earth project covering over 2500 square kilometres of Western Australia, and there is likely to be more movement on the way as White Cliff start to scale.