Red River Resources strengthens board with appointment of former Newcrest MD Ian Smith

Red River Resources Ltd (ASX:RVR) has appointed Ian Smith, former managing director and CEO of both Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX:NCM) and Orica Ltd, as non-executive director from April 22, 2021. Smith’s appointment marks an important step in Red River’s growth into a multi-asset operating business focused on base and precious metals via its Thalanga and Hillgrove Operations in Australia. He is a mining engineer with more than 40 years of experience in the mining and services sector and has held some of the most senior positions in the Australian resources industry. Smith is currently engaged as a non-executive director of Rex Minerals Ltd (ASX:RXM) and senior advisor to EMR Capital. “Skill-set and experience will be invaluable to Red River” Red River Resources chairman Brett Fletcher said: “I would like welcome Ian to the Board of Red River Resources. “Ian’s appointment comes as Red River Resources has just commenced production at our Hillgrove Gold Mine in NSW. “Ian’s skill-set, his extensive experience in the Australian and global mining industry will be invaluable to Red River as we seek to continue to grow and expand our asset base. “I am very much looking forward to his contribution.” Experience and qualification In his career spanning over 40 years, Smith has held various senior positions in the Australian resources industry, including chairman of the Minerals Council of Australia and President of the Australian Mines and Metals Association. He was integral in Newcrest’s transformation to become Australia’s biggest gold mining company and his career includes executive roles with Orica, Rio Tinto, WMC Resources, Pasminco and CRA. Smith is a fellow of the Institute of Engineers and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). He is also a winner of the 2011 AusIMM’s Mining Medal, the Institute’s highest award and was a president of the Australian Mines & Metals Association, a board member of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) and a Bachelor of Financial Administration degree. Multi-asset business Red River is seeking to build a multi-asset business focused on base and precious metals to deliver prosperity through lean and clever resource development. Its foundation asset is the Thalanga base metal operation in Northern Queensland, which was acquired in 2014 and where Red River started copper, lead and zinc concentrate production in September 2017. Red River recently started production at the high-grade Hillgrove Gold Mine in New South Wales, which was acquired in 2019.