Jul. 18, 2022 - Tanzanian graphite developer Black Rock Mining Limited (BKT: ASX) (Black Rock or the Company) is pleased to announce initial leadership appointments under its joint-venture Company, Faru Graphite Corporation (Faru), established in partnership with the Tanzanian Government to develop the Mahenge Graphite Mine. The appointments are a clear sign of intent to advance the Mahenge Graphite Project and will accelerate local engagement activities with all stakeholders and provide direction for project execution ahead of planned construction.

CEO – Faru Graphite Corporation, Tanzania 

Mr Alimiya (Ali) Osman - Chief Executive Officer 

Mr Osman is a Tanzanian citizen and an accomplished senior executive with over 25 years’ experience in operations, people management, strategy formulation, sales, marketing and business intelligence, coupled with a strong network in the Mining & Gas industry, Water Reticulation, Agriculture (irrigation) sectors and Contractors (local & foreign) in East Africa. He has an honours degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, as well as a diploma of strategic business management from the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA). 

His initial focus will be to assist in establishing C-Suite capability, oversee project execution activities, and engagement with national financiers as part of the debt finance process.

Investor Board Appointments - Faru Graphite Corporation 

Mr Asa Mwaipopo – Non-Executive Director 

Mr Mwaipopo is a Tanzanian citizen and mining executive with 30 years’ experience as a mining engineer, mines inspector and senior production engineer, mining production manager; in government and private sector respectively. He has previously served in various senior capacities with Anglo-Gold Ashanti, Mantra Tanzania, African Barrick Gold (ABG) and Acacia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from the University of Zambia and master’s degree in mining engineering from Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter in United Kingdom. He is also a certified member of the Institute of Directors Tanzania (IoDT) and holds deep interest in governance. 

His initial focus will be to provide advice to the Company regarding strategic oversight of local operations and engagement, as well as corporate governance. 

Mr John de Vries and Mr Ian Murray are Directors of Black Rock and act on the Faru Board in the following capacities:

• Mr John de Vries – Executive Chairman; and 

• Mr Ian Murray – Non-Executive Director 

Government Appointments – Faru Graphite Corporation 

The Government of Tanzania, is permitted to appoint two nominee directors, as agreed in the Framework Agreement (refer ASX Announcement 14 December 2021). The office of the Treasury Registrar has nominated the following: 

Mr Ted Silkiluwasha - Government Appointed Director 

Mr. Silkiluwasha has been with the Tanzania Revenue Authority for over 20 years; currently a specialized trainer with the Institute of Tax Administration. Prior to joining the Institute, Ted worked in the Department of Tax Investigation serving as the Head of Operations in the Investigations Department and as the Deputy Commissioner (Operations). Ted holds a Master of Science in Taxation from the University of Northern Illinois, USA; a Bachelor of Commerce and Management Accounting from the University of Dar es salaam; and a Post Graduate Diploma in Tax Management from the Institute of Finance Management (IFM). Mr Silkiluwasha is an Associate Certified Public Accountant Tanzania (ACPA T) 

Danstan Mtajura Daud – Government Appointed Director 

Eng. Danstan Mtajura Daud holds a in Mineral Processing Engineering (Metallurgist) from MRI and Diplomatic in Protocol and Public Relations from Mozambique/Tanzania Centre for Foreign Relation (CRF). He is Currently Serving as a Mining Analyst and Advisor in President’s Office and Monitoring and Coordinator of All Strategic Government Negotiations Team including Special Presidential Government Negotiations Team (SPGNT).

Commenting on the Tanzanian appointments, Black Rock CEO, John de Vries, said: 

“Karibu sana – A warm welcome to both Ali, Asa and to Ted and Danstan from the Black Rock team in joining the Group at a pivotal time as we transform from Explorer to Developer. These critical appointments signal our intention to move forward quickly with establishing local project execution capability as we focus on the commencement of construction later this calendar year. 

We are fortunate to be in a position to attract and recruit world class Tanzanian citizens to the Company which supports our desire to co-develop local capability that ultimately creates a better outcome for Tanzania and our investors.”