Polaris Metals NL has revealed a new look management team with chief operating officer Jonathan Lea replacing Kevin Schultz as managing director, as the iron ore hopeful switches its focus from exploration to production.
The new team will also comprise Alan Tough, who has been made executive director for operations.
Mr Lea has been chief operating officer since August 2007, and was previously principal adviser - mine geology with Rio Tinto.
With his technical and financial background, Mr Tough will have a leadership role in company's transition, particularly managing mining approvals.
The two new appointments will guide Polaris Metals through its scheduled transition to iron ore producer by 2009.
Mr Schultz, meanwhile, will relinquish his executive role in Polaris to focus on the Polaris spin-off Northern Uranium Ltd and will remain on the Polaris Board as a non-executive director.
Mr Schultz said Mr Lea had represented the company in critical aspects of the Yilgarn Iron Ore and Poondano
projects, notably the work involved in converting targets to JORC-compliant resources, environmental permitting, liaison with government departments, and HSEC compliance.
"As results of the 2007-2008 drilling come to hand he will be responsible for managing the current feasibility
studies and implementing production strategies," he said.
Mr Tough's direct project operating experience includes LNG projects in WA, Malaysia, India and Middle East, mineral sands mining world wide, alumina projects at Pinjarra, Worsley, Kwinana, Gove and Gladstone, and iron ore and tin mining.
Previously, as contract consultant to the WA minister for industrial development, Mr Tough was responsible for establishing the town and mining projects at Eneabba.
