Sandfire Resources NL is pleased to announce that it has appointed highly experienced mining operations and company executive Mike Spreadborough as its new Chief Operating Officer commencing in August 2013. Mr Spreadborough, who joins Sandfire from his most recent role as Chief Operating Officer for Inova Resources Ltd (formerly Ivanhoe Australia Ltd), has more than 20 years of experience in mining copper, gold, lead, zinc, uranium and iron ore, including 16 years of underground mining experience.

During his tenure as COO, Inova re-commenced production for the Osborne and Selwyn operations and completed major studies on the Merlin, Mt Dore and Mt Elliot Projects.  Prior to that, Mr Spreadborough was General Manager – Coastal Operations for Rio Tinto for five years with accountability for the operation of the Cape Lambert and Dampier ports with capacity of 220 million tonnes, and a workforce of over 1,000 employees and contractors.

Earlier in his career, he was General Manager Mining for WMC and later Vice President – Mining for BHP Billiton at the world-class Olympic Dam Mine in South Australia.  At Olympic Dam he was responsible for all aspects of the operation including safety, production targets, mine development and leading a team of 900 employees and contractors. Prior to this, he held a number of senior operational positions for North Limited, including Executive of Bulk Commodities and Manager Mining and Underground Development at the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine near Kalgoorlie. Mr Spreadborough holds a Bachelor of Mining Engineering from the University of Queensland and an MBA from Deakin University, as well as a WA First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sandfire’s Managing Director, Mr Karl Simich, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have attracted someone of Mike’s experience and calibre to join our team as Chief Operating Officer. During an impressive career with some of the world’s leading mining companies, Mike has held a number of senior operational and managerial roles.  He has managed complex operations, developed large-scale greenfields and brownfields projects and assisted with corporate development and strategy. These include lengthy stints at large-scale underground mines such as Olympic Dam and Kanowna Belle.

“With 16 years of direct experience in underground mining, Mike’s skills are perfectly suited to Sandfire’s current stage of operations as we complete the ramp-up of the underground mine and 1.5Mtpa Concentrator at the DeGrussa Copper Project.  His corporate development and strategic skills will also be vital as we embark on our next chapter of growth – new business opportunities in the Doolgunna region and further afield.” “On behalf of our Board and Management Team, I welcome Mike to Sandfire and look forward to his contribution to the Company.”