Edwardes to chair EMA

Energy and Minerals Australia has appointed former state government minister Cheryl Edwardes as chairman, replacing Mike Young who has taken a new role as managing director.

Mrs Edwardes will commence the role in April following a management reshuffle forced by a complex funding deal between EMA and its convertible noteholders Acorn Capital, Macquarie Bank and the Element Resources Fund.

Mr Young took a full-time executive role as a condition of EMA securing funding to continue work on its Mulga Rock uranium project.

Mr Young replaced current chief executive Julian Tapp, who has moved into the role of chief operating officer.

Mrs Edwards is currently the senior advisor of strategic communications at FTI Consulting and also strategic project advisor at Atlas Iron.

She has also recently held the role of Executive General Manager for External Affairs for Hancock Prospecting and was a Special Counsel at Minter Ellison in Perth.

Mrs Edwardes previously held the positions of WA attorney general, minister for environment and minister for labour relations.