8 May 2024
Vital Metals Limited (ASX: VML) (“Vital”, “Vital Metals” or “the Company”) wishes to advise of the retirement of non-executive director Mr James Henderson, and welcomes the appointment of Mr Michael Brook to the Board as an Australian-based non-executive director, both effective immediately.
Mr James Henderson was a founding director of Vital’s subsidiary Cheetah Resources Pty Ltd in 2018 and has overseen the acquisition and early development of its Nechalacho Project in NWT, Canada. With a new management team now established in Canada, focussed on Rare Earth exploration and development of the Tardiff Deposit at Nechalacho, Mr Henderson feels it is an appropriate time for Board transition, moving on to concentrate on his other business interests. The Board thanks Mr Henderson for his significant contribution and service to the Company since his appointment to the Vital Board in August 2020 and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.
Incoming director Mr Michael (Mike) Brook is a mining professional with diversified hands-on global mining industry experience underpinning a subsequent career path as a stockbroking resources analyst and then roles in Mining Investment. In these roles, Mr Brook has driven the technical and commercial review of projects and companies across multiple jurisdictions and commodities and from early exploration through to production.
Mr Brook was previously Chairman / Manager of three successful African closed end resources investment funds (African Lion: AFL1, AFL2 and AFL3). These funds were supported by major development bank and commercial bank shareholders, working to world best practices. Mr Brook has held numerous non-executive director positions on listed and unlisted junior resource company boards. He is currently a non-executive director of Geopacific Resources Limited (ASX:GPR), Principal – Mining for African Investments Limited (Private) and Chair of TuNya Resources (Private).
Mr Brook graduated with a BSc.(Hon.) Mining Geology from the University of Wales (Cardiff) and is a member of AusIMM.
Board non-executive Chairman Richard Crookes commented: “Vital Metals is advancing its globally significant Nechalacho rare earth project with new vigour and we welcome the appointment of Mike to add his guidance and governance to the Board. At the same time, I’d like to personally thank Jamie for his time and wise counsel whilst at Vital and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”