Strandline Resources has announced the appointment of senior mining executive Jozsef Patarica to managing director.
The appointment of Patarica, who became Strandline’s chief executive officer (CEO) in July 2023, follows the resignation of managing director Luke Graham.
The shake-up comes as the company transitions from critical minerals explorer and developer to producer and ramps up its Coburn mineral sands project in WA.
“It has been a privilege to lead Strandline through the exploration, project development and construction phase of its growth journey,” Graham said.
Strandline’s chair Didier Murcia thanked Graham for his efforts as managing director and deliverance of the Coburn mine to operation against the backdrop of a global pandemic.
“I welcome Jozsef as Strandline’s Managing Director,” Murcia continued.
“Jozsef’s proven leadership in operational excellence and in shaping organisational cultures with an inclusive and collaborative style to drive growth, together with significant exposure at senior executive levels, make him the ideal person to lead Strandline into the future.”
Since his appointment as CEO, Patarica has spent the majority of his time at the Coburn project site implementing ramp-up and improvement initiatives.
This improvement includes recently completed capital modification works to the wet concentration plant on the upstream mineral cleaning circuit of heavy mineral concentrate.
Initial results show a significant improvement in separation efficiency and ongoing optimisation of the circuit is continuing.
A zircon and titanium rich deposit, Coburn is one of the largest mineral sands projects in the world.
First production of heavy mineral concentrate was completed in the December 2022.
The company also continues to progress its mineral sands assets in Tanzania, with advancing government agreement and strategic partner discussions.
The zircon-rich Fungoni project is Strandline’s most advanced Tanzanian based development, with a full definitive feasibility study completed and final project approvals progressing.