Key appointment for Yilgarn Mining

Yilgarn Mining Ltd has announced plans to significantly expand its explorat....

  Yilgarn Mining Ltd has announced plans to significantly expand its exploration and development focus in the iron ore business in Western Australia following the appointment of a highly accomplished senior executive from BHP Billiton Iron Ore Division, Wayne Richards, as Managing Director.Mr Richards – who since 2004 has held the key position of Project Integration & Commissioning Leader for BHP Billiton Iron Ore Division, with responsibility for integrating projects across BHP Billiton’s three Iron Ore Business Sectors (Mine, Port and Rail) – will now spearhead Yilgarn’s plans to advance its 100%-owned Marillana Iron Ore Project in WA’s Pilbara region.The company recently commenced a 40-hole RC (Reverse Circulation) drilling program at Marillana to in-fill the North-West Sector of the prospect and underpin an initial JORC compliant resource. Yilgarn has previously reported a “mineralization estimate” for the North-West Sector of 30 million tonnes grading 58.4% Fe (64% Fe on a calcined basis).Yilgarn’s founding Managing Director, David Burt, will step down from the position with effect from 2 July 2007 after five years at the company’s helm.Yilgarn’s Chairman, Ross Norgard, said the appointment of Mr Richards represented a significant vote of confidence in the quality and growth potential of the company’s strategically located iron ore assets in the Pilbara region by one of Australia’s most experienced and accomplished iron ore executives.“We are delighted to announce that Wayne has agreed to join us as Managing Director to advance the development of our assets to the next level,” Mr Norgard commented. “His appointment is the culmination of a planned management handover after David Burt indicated his wish to step back from front-line executive duties after five years with the company and its predecessor, Yilgarn Mining Pty Ltd.”Before assuming the role of Project Integration & Commissioning Leader for BHP Billiton Iron Ore Division, Mr Richards fulfilled the roles of General Manager – Operations and Deputy Vice President of Boodarie Iron, a company that is owned and operated by BHP Billiton, where he was responsible for the management and coordination of a wide range of strategic business units.Prior to that, Mr Richards held key executive roles with Anaconda Nickel, including Project Technical Manager – Corporate and Plant Operations Manager for Anaconda’s Murrin Murrin Nickel/Cobalt Project, as well as spending over 12 years as Production Manager and Business Development Manager with Queensland Nickel (now QNI – BHP Billiton).