Sheikh Dr Badr bin Dalhim Al-Faheid Al-Hajri has joined the board of the Qatar-backed Cascade Natural Resources and has expressed his support for the company’s $165-million strategic investment into rare earths company Pensana.

The appointment reflects Cascade’s growing international standing and the strong backing of Qatar, as Cascade looks to advance its investment in Pensana and the Longonjo project, in Angola, as well as further deepen its commitment to rare earth supply chains, Pensana says in a statement.

“I am honoured and delighted to join the board of directors of Cascade and to contribute to the company’s strategic vision as it advances its investment in Pensana and the Longonjo project.

“This important investment reflects a forward-looking commitment to strengthening critical mineral supply chains and supporting the development of sustainable mining and processing capabilities – a sector that will play a pivotal role in powering future technologies, advanced manufacturing, and long-term industrial growth. I look forward to working with the Cascade team as it builds a leadership position in the rare earth sector,” Al-Hajri says.

“We very much welcome the support of Sheikh Dr Badr bin Dalhim Al-Faheid Al-Hajri and the investment by Qatar-backed Cascade, which will accelerate the development of Longonjo as one of the world’s largest rare earth mines and for the development of our downstream ambitions,” says Pensana chairperson Paul Atherley.

“We warmly welcome Sheikh Dr Badr Al-Hajri to the Cascade board. His appointment reflects the strong and committed support Qatar is bringing to Cascade as we pursue our ambition to build a world leader in the rare earth space. Our investment in Pensana and the Longonjo project is a significant step in that journey, and we are grateful for Qatar’s backing and excited about what we can build together,” says Cascade chairperson Lloyd Pengilly.

Al-Hajri is a senior figure across the Gulf and broader Arab world, with extensive experience spanning government, diplomacy and international economic affairs.

He has held senior positions within institutions operating under the umbrella of the League of Arab States and the Arab Economic Unity Council, representing 22 Arab member States across the Middle East, North Africa, the Gulf region and the rest of Africa.

He brings to the Cascade board deep networks across sovereign and institutional investor communities in the Gulf, as well as a longstanding commitment to fostering investment partnerships between the Arab world and international markets.

His appointment is expected to strengthen Cascade’s relationships with Qatari and broader Gulf investors as the company executes its critical minerals strategy.