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TIVAN LIMITED — Board/Management Information 2022
Sep 1, 2022
65967_rns_2022-09-01_a676331d-0ef3-44b6-82f7-f617865206c6.pdf
Board/Management Information
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ASX ANNOUNCEMENT
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2 September 2022
HIGHLY RESPECTED AUSTRALIAN MINING EXECUTIVE NEIL BIDDLE APPOINTED AS NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF TNG
Founding Managing Director returns as Chair to oversee TNG’s next pivotal phase of growth
Australian resource and mineral processing technology company TNG Limited (ASX: TNG) (“TNG” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of highly regarded Australian mining executive Mr Neil Biddle as nonexecutive Chairman, effective immediately.
Following the appointment, current non-executive Chairman Mr John Elkington will transition to non-executive Director as part of TNG’s ongoing board renewal process as it prepares to make the transition to development and production at the Mount Peake Critical Minerals Project in the Northern Territory.
Mr Biddle is a highly experienced geologist and mining executive with a successful career spanning more than 30 years in the exploration and mining industry.
He has been one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs and executives in the fast-growing battery materials sector over the past decade, having played a pioneering role in the Australian lithium sector as one of the founders of lithium trail-blazer Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS).
Mr Biddle played an instrumental role in leading Pilbara Minerals’ acquisition of the Pilgangoora Lithium-Tantalum Project in WA, and oversaw the discovery, exploration, financing and early development of the project – including engagement with off-take partners, developing appropriate funding strategies and raising the profile of the lithium sector in the Australian investment market.
Mr Biddle was one of the first Australian mining executives to recognise the opportunity presented by the burgeoning lithium-ion battery sector. In the process, he set Pilbara Minerals on a long-term growth trajectory which transformed it from a junior micro-cap into what has since become the leading ASX-listed lithium company, with a market capitalisation today of over $10 billion.
Mr Biddle was also one of the founders of WA gold developer Bardoc Gold (ASX: BDC), which was acquired earlier this year by ASX-200 gold producer St Barbara Limited (ASX: SBM) in a $157 million transaction which crystallised value for shareholders. Together with Pilbara Minerals co-founder Tony Leibowitz, he has played an instrumental role in the rejuvenation of Greenvale Mining (ASX: GRV) over the past two years, identifying the potential of the Company’s Alpha Torbanite Project in Queensland and establishing the Company’s strategy to become a producer of carbon offset bitumen and a geothermal renewable energy supplier.
Mr Biddle recently stepped down as Managing Director of Greenvale but remains a non-executive Director and substantial shareholder of that Company. He also serves as a non-executive Director of Trek Metals (ASX: TKM).
Mr Biddle has a deep knowledge of TNG, having been the Company’s founding Managing Director between 1998 and April 2011, when he was succeeded as Managing Director by Paul Burton. Mr Biddle oversaw the transformation of the Company from its predecessor, Hallmark Gold, with the development of its dominant exploration portfolio in Northern Australia, including a vast multi-commodity portfolio in the Tennant Creek region of the Northern Territory and the Manbarrum Zinc Project near Kununurra in WA. He continued to serve on the TNG board as a non-executive Director until May 2013, when he stepped down to join Pilbara Minerals.
W www.tngltd.com.au E [email protected]
ASX CODE: TNG ABN 12 000 817 023
REGISTERED OFFICE T +61 8 9327 0900 Suite 20, 22 Railway Road F +61 8 9327 0901 Subiaco, Western Australia 6008
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Mr Biddle oversaw the early exploration of the Mount Peake Project (originally as a nickel sulphide target) and the subsequent discovery of the world-class vanadium-titanium-iron deposit by the Company’s then Exploration Manager (now Managing Director), Paul Burton, who was appointed as CEO in September 2009. Earlier in his career, Mr Biddle was Managing Director of Border Gold (1994-1998) and Consolidated Victorian Mines (1991-1994).
Mr Elkington, has been non-executive Chairman since February 2019, and has overseen numerous important achievements including the FEED study by SMS group, the finalisation of binding off-take agreements with key customers, the award of Major Project Status and the progression of the Company’s financing strategy – all against the backdrop of the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has also overseen governance and due diligence for the Board renewal process, which has seen the appointment of non-executive Directors Mr Simon Morten, a world authority in the production of titanium dioxide pigment, and Ms Elizabeth Henson, an internationally recognised public company director, and now the appointment of new non-executive Chairman Mr Neil Biddle, a highly regarded mining executive recognised for bringing large resource projects into production.
Commenting on the appointment, outgoing TNG Chairman John Elkington said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Neil has agreed to return to TNG in the role of non-executive Chairman. I can think of no one with greater experience or better qualifications than Neil to lead the Board as we move into this next exciting phase of our growth. This is a pivotal time for the Company, as we advance the Mount Peake Project towards development.
“Neil’s considerable corporate and strategic experience in the global battery metals sector – particularly in launching Pilbara Minerals on its highly successful growth trajectory – will be of huge value to TNG. We also look forward to his strategic input in unlocking the potential of our newly-acquired Sandover Lithium Project.
“As part of what has been a carefully planned board renewal and transition process, I will step down as Chair but will remain on the board as a non-executive Director and look forward to continuing to contribute to this next important phase of financing and construction at Mount Peake.”
TNG Managing Director and CEO Paul Burton said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Neil has agreed to return to TNG as non-executive Chairman. No other candidate knows the company, the assets, the Northern Territory landscape and the battery metals sector better than Neil. He will be an invaluable source of wise counsel and strategic advice, and his presence on the board will open many additional doors for us.
“Building on the strong foundations we have created over the past decade in terms of development and engineering partners, customers and financing partners, I have every confidence that, under Neil’s leadership, TNG is set to grow and thrive in the years ahead. We are looking forward to this next chapter with great anticipation and excitement.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank John for his substantial contribution as Chairman over the past three-and-half-years. Despite the challenges of the global COVID pandemic, we have been able to achieve a great deal and continue to advance a very large and complex project towards financing and development. We look forward to his continued contribution as a non-executive Director, particularly given his intimate knowledge of the Mount Peake Project.”
Incoming Chair Neil Biddle said:
“TNG has a world-class critical minerals asset and the team led by Paul Burton has made significant progress over the past 10 years, working hard to deliver a major new long-life production asset that will change the face of the Company and make a huge contribution to the Australian economy. I look forward to working with Paul, the Board and the TNG team to deliver on this potential while also unlocking the exciting new opportunity they have secured at the Sandover Lithium Project and fully evaluating the significant nickel potential around Mount Peake. These are exciting times for TNG and I encourage all shareholders to unite behind the team to capitalise on the hard work that has been put in over a long period of time.”
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As previously announced, and as reflected in the Notice of Meeting (“Notice”) dated 8 August 2022, certain requisitioning shareholders led by Mr Grant Wilson have proposed a resolution removing all new directors appointed on or after 18 July 2022 until the commencement of the General Meeting (“GM”) to be held on 20 September 2022. This resolution (being Resolution 5 described in the Notice) purports to apply to the appointment of Mr Biddle even though Mr Biddle was appointed after the Notice was despatched and when voting is already underway. The Company’s position is that, if Resolution 5 is passed, the Company (or an interested person such as Mr Biddle) may seek to challenge the validity of Resolution 5 insofar as it relates to Mr Biddle. The Company notes that Mr Biddle will be up for election by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting in November in accordance with the usual provisions of the Company’s constitution. The existing Directors are firmly of the view that the appointment of Mr Biddle is in the best interests of the Company.
The Board continues to recommend, for the reasons set out in the Notice, that shareholders vote AGAINST all resolutions at the upcoming GM, including Resolution 5 which purports to apply to Mr Biddle. Shareholders are encouraged to exercise their vote and any shareholders who have already voted and wish to change their vote should do it either online by visiting www.investorvote.com.au/Login and entering the control number ‘181237’, or by requesting a new proxy form by contacting the TNG shareholder information line between 8.30am to 5.00pm (AEST) on 1300 403 041 within Australia or +61 3 9415 4158 from outside of Australia.
Authorised by the TNG Board of Directors:
Paul E Burton
Managing Director and CEO
2 September 2022
Inquiries:
Paul E Burton Managing Director & CEO + 61 (0) 8 9327 0900 Paula Raffo Company Secretary & IR + 61 (0) 8 9327 0900 Nicholas Read Read Corporate + 61 (0) 8 9388 1474
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About TNG
TNG is a mineral resource and processing technology company focussing on building a world-scale strategic metals business based on its flagship 100%-owned Mount Peake Vanadium-Titanium-Iron Project in the Northern Territory. Located 235km north of Alice Springs, Mount Peake will be a long-life project producing a suite of high-quality, high-purity strategic products for global markets including vanadium pentoxide, titanium dioxide pigment and iron ore fines. The project, which is expected to be a top-10 global producer, has received Major Project Status from the Australian Federal Government and the Northern Territory Government.
TNG is also advancing a green energy strategy with the dual objective of offsetting carbon emissions from its planned future operations and generating new business opportunities in the alternative energy market to create additional shareholder value, with a focus on green hydrogen and vanadium redox flow batteries.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement has been prepared by TNG Limited. This announcement is in summary form and does not purport to be all inclusive or complete. Recipients should conduct their own investigations and perform their own analysis in order to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy and completeness of the information, statements and opinions contained.
This announcement is for information purposes only. Neither this nor the information contained in it constitutes an offer, invitation, solicitation or recommendation in relation to the purchase or sale of TNG Limited shares in any jurisdiction. This announcement does not constitute investment advice and has been prepared without taking into account the recipient's investment objectives, financial circumstances or particular needs and the opinions and recommendations in this announcement are not intended to represent recommendations of particular investments to particular persons. Recipients should seek professional advice when deciding if an investment is appropriate. All securities transactions involve risks, which include (among others) the risk of adverse or unanticipated market, financial or political developments.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, TNG Limited, its officers, employees, agents and advisers do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the currency, accuracy, reliability or completeness of any information, statements, opinions, estimates, forecasts or other representations contained in this announcement. No responsibility for any errors or omissions from this arising out of negligence or otherwise is accepted.
This announcement may include forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are outside the control of TNG Limited. Actual values, results or events may be materially different to those expressed or implied.
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