Flanagan takes executive role at Battery

Perth businessman David Flanagan has taken on a larger role at aspiring graphite miner Battery Minerals, that of executive chairman, as part of a management restructure ahead of the company’s planned transition to the production phase.

Battery, formerly known as Metals of Africa, announced today that Mr Flanagan would move from chairman to executive chairman, while managing director Cherie Leeden would become executive director, technology and business development, and be based in the US, where the company is a joint venture partner in a spherical graphite pilot production facility.

It expects to begin producing at the facility within the next 12-18 months.

Mr Flanagan joined the company as non-executive chairman in October last year, replacing Gilbert George, who remains on the board as a non-executive director.

The company also owns its Montepuez graphite project in Mozambique which, according to a definitive feasibility study released last month, has a development capex of $US168 million.

Mr Flanagan, who until last year was also managing director of iron ore miner Atlas Iron, will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Battery across all operational and corporate activities.

“The US is an enormously important first-world leader in the use of lithium ion batteries in energy storage, electric vehicles as well as a range of other appliances,” Mr Flanagan said.

“Spherical graphite is the dominant material used in the anode in these batteries.

“Cherie will be based in the USA to promote our anode material as part of those energy solutions.

“With a strong technical understanding of all our deposits she will also communicate our market leading ethical and environmental credentials and ‘value in use’ to customers on a regular basis.”

Mr Flanagan said Battery is also in the process of making other key appointments.

In his new role, he will receive a remuneration of $465,000 per annum plus incentives.

Battery shares were 1.2 per cent higher to 8.3 cents each at 10:50am.