PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Nickel miner Mincor Resources on Wednesday announced that MD and CEO David Southam will step down.

Mincor told shareholders that the decision reflected Southam’s view that this is a logical stage in Mincor’s lifecycle for a leadership transition with the company returning to nickel production and ramping up its Kambalda operations, combined with his desire to be able to spend more time with his family and to pursue personal interests.

The board initiated an executive search process and after short-listing several candidates, has appointed Gabrielle Iwanow as successor.

Iwanow has extensive experience working at senior operational and executive levels within the bulk and base metals resource sector including with global mining giant Rio Tinto and, more recently, with ASX-listed OZ Minerals as GM of its Prominent Hill operation in South Australia.

“After more than 25 years in frontline executive positions with large ASX- listed companies, Southam has made the understandable decision that he would like to step down as MD and be in a position to spend more time with family, travel and pursue personal interests,” said Mincor chairperson Brett Lambert.

“While we are very sorry to see Southam go, we are absolutely delighted to have been able to attract an exceptionally talented and high-calibre senior mining executive in Iwanow to join the company as Southam’s successor in the role of MD and CEO.”

Lambert said that Southam’s relentless work ethic, strategic vision and strong commercial acumen had been instrumental in helping the company navigate the many twists and turns of taking it through feasibility study, financing, off-take, development, construction and now into production – all against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The rapid growth in our market capitalisation from a circa A$70-million explorer to a A$930-million midtier nickel miner is testament to the incredible job that Southam and his team have done. On behalf of the Mincor family, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to Southam for his enormous contribution and wish him all the very best for his future endeavours.”