Unicorn Mineral Resources has appointed Patrick Doherty as the company’s executive chairperson and Graeme Fawcett and Kevin Warrington as nonexecutive directors.

The appointments follow the company's acquisition of a controlling interest in the Klein Aub copper mine, in Namibia, and form part of efforts to strengthen its leadership and operational capabilities ahead of the next phase of development.

Unicorn announced in September that it had begun a process to bolster its senior executive and operational management capabilities as it moved towards the development and operational phases of Klein Aub. The process is ongoing.

Fawcett brings more than 40 years of international experience spanning engineering, legal, commercial and insurance disciplines, including major energy and capital projects. He previously served as oil and gas exploration company Atlantic Petroleum interim CEO, where he was involved in strategic reviews, restructuring and the assessment of strategic alternatives.

His project experience includes working on developments in Angola and Ghana, and floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) assignments involving energy and industrial engineering companies such as Shell, Woodside and Technip.

Warrington has more than 15 years of experience in governance, regulatory compliance and corporate administration across the sports education, mining and resources sectors. He currently serves as junior mining company Marula Mining’s company secretary and compliance officer and holds several nonexecutive directorships across related investment and operating entities.

His experience includes statutory compliance, regulatory reporting, risk governance and board support in multijurisdictional organisations.

The Unicorn board now comprises Doherty as executive chairperson, Dave Blaney as COO and executive director, John O'Connor as CFO and executive director, Fawcett as nonexecutive director and Warrington as independent nonexecutive director.

Commenting on the appointments, Doherty said Fawcett's international commercial and project experience would strengthen the board's ability to scrutinise major projects, contractual arrangements and investment decisions.

He added that Warrington's expertise in listed-company compliance, risk and corporate administration would complement the board's existing capabilities.

“As we progress our plans for Klein Aub and strengthen the company's operational capability in Namibia, I believe their combined experience will add further depth to the board and support the company through its next phase of development,” Doherty concludes.