Leadership

Brian has over 25 years’ experience in the exploration and mining business in Africa and North America. Previously, Brian was CEO of the successful exploration and development company Moydow Mines International Inc where he oversaw the discovery and development of a world class gold deposit, Subika, which is now a Newmont mine called Ahafo.

Brian is also the Chairman of Minerex Drilling Contractors Limited, a privately owned West African drilling contractor and was previously the Executive Chairman of Moydow Holdings Limited.

John was previously the Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Amara Mining. At Amara John led the development of the Yaoure project in Côte d’Ivoire from discovery through to feasibility study, overseeing a growth in the resource base from 200,000 oz to over 6 million oz. Amara was acquired by Perseus Mining and Yaoure was developed into a 200,000 ounces per year mine.

John started his career as an exploration and mining geologist in southern Africa before returning to Europe as competent person and consultant for IMC Mackay and Schnellman. After moving into equity research in London John led a highly rated mining equity team at Collins Stewart and Canaccord.

Sybrand retired from the South African National Defence Force in 1998 and has held senior roles in the management of projects and the mitigation of operational risk within the mining and oil and gas industries. He has also served as strategic consultant to various governments with respect to operational and critical infrastructure requirements following extensive Middle Eastern and African experience in these areas.

Carlo co-founded AMED Funds, a private equity manager focused on mineral resource investments, which has raised and invested approximately $0.5bn in the last 10 years. One of three founding partners, he leads the structuring, financial and tax aspects of the investments, in addition to the structuring and operations of the Fund, investor relations and compliance. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and has held numerous roles in the European and North American telecoms industry, including Director of the Corporate Finance Telecoms team at Warburg. In 2006 he co-founded NCP, a private equity fund of funds aimed mainly at Italian institutional investors, which raised over US$150m and is successfully invested in mid-cap and restructuring funds and co-investments globally.

Bertrand has worked for De Beers and various independent diamond producers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry. He has over 20 years’ senior management experience in global financial services markets within the EU and Mauritius with various banks and, currently, as Managing Director of Investors Europe (Mauritius) Limited. Bertrand is also a non-executive director of Omnicane Ltd, a cane sugar and energy producer listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius.

Len is Chief Executive Officer of PW Mining, a contract mining and civil engineering construction firm which operates across Africa. Len is a Civil Engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in countries as diverse as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Tanzania, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone where he has negotiated and executed major mining, civil and offshore engineering contracts. He was also previously Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Rutile Limited (previously Titanium Resources Group).

Al is an experienced mining director and executive who was Chairman of DFR’s Board from 2016 until closing of the Moydow Transaction. He currently serves as the London, UK, Regional Managing Partner of Fasken Martineau LLP, a leading mining law firm, and is a globally recognized resource lawyer.

David has over 35 years’ experience in the mining industry covering all stages of mine development, including exploration, feasibility, financing, construction, and operations. He has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. His previous positions include CEO of Aureus Mining, CEO of European Goldfields, and General Manager of African exploration for Randgold Resources. In addition, David Reading has held senior exploration and project development positions for Anglo American and Phelps Dodge. In these roles, he has overseen the financing and development of numerous mines across the world, including several in Africa.

Jean is an experienced CFO and financial manager with more than 20 years’ experience in the mining, fishing and leisure industries across Africa. Prior to his appointment, he was CFO of Afritex, a group engaged in the harvesting of fish and other seafood in Mauritius and Mozambique for export worldwide. Between 2005 and 2014 Jean Charles held a number of senior positions, including CFO, at Sierra Rutile Limited, an AIM listed mining company producing rutile and zircon in Sierra Leone that was acquired by lluka Resources in 2016.

Djeneba has more than 20 years’ experience in senior administrative and finance roles in West African companies, including over 17 years working for various mining and exploration companies. She has a significant track record, which has included roles as diverse as Country Manager, Deputy General Manager, and Administrative and Financial Director that will significantly benefit the Company in developing its activities in Burkina Faso.

Kieran is a Professional Geologist with more than 35 years of experience in the metals exploration and mining sector, Kieran brings a strong track record of discovery, particularly in gold in West Africa, including as Chief Geologist and COO at Glencar Mining plc where he led the technical teams in the discovery of both the Wassa deposit in Ghana, and Komana/Yanfolila deposit in Mali, two large-scale operating mines.