Rick Smith has over 35 years of global experience relating to new markets, business development, exploration, feasibility studies and construction in bauxite and alumina projects. Mr Smith started with the Guinea Alumina Corporation Project in 2013 as general manager of operations and projects, and oversaw its development from early stages through to commissioning, including leading negotiations for rail and other infrastructure agreements with the Guinea Government . He remained a senior executive during the construction and commissioning of the project. Mr Smith had previously worked for Gulf Canada Resources and BHP. He was the project director of BHP Aluminium’s Boffa Santou Houda Bauxite/Alumina Project from 2009 to 2012 based in Conakry, Guinea. Prior to that, he worked in BHP’s Aluminium Group and BHP’s petroleum division in Australia, Middle East and SE Asia. Mr Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from Michigan Technological University in the US.