AngloGold Ashanti’s (JSE: ANG) (NYSE: AU) former chief executive officer Kelvin Dushnisky has joined the board of developer Lithium Americas (TSX, NYSE: LAC), which is expanding its Caucharí-Olaroz project in Argentina and advancing Thacker Pass in Nevada, US.
Dushnisky was at the head of AngloGold, the world’s no. 3 bullion miner, until July 2020. He was let go after shareholders asked for further investigations into a bonus payment by his former employer, Barrick Gold, which he didn’t initially disclose.
Lithium Americas also announced the appointment of Jinhee Magie to its board. Magie is currently the CFO and senior VP of Lundin Mining.
“We are pleased to welcome Kelvin and Jinhee to our board,” said chairperson George Ireland. “Their knowledge and experience will be an excellent complement to the board as we begin the transition from developer to operator.”
Lithium Americas and its joint venture partner Ganfeng Lithium approved in May a second stage expansion at the Caucharí-Olaroz lithium project in Jujuy province.
The project is expected to add at least 20,000 tpa of production capacity to the operation, beginning in 2025.
The company is also finalizing construction of the initial 40,000 tpa stage one operation, which remains on track for completion within the next year. First production is expected in mid-2022.
In January, the US government reached a record of decision, approving the company’s proposed Thacker Pass mine. The project, expected to be developed as an open-pit operation, faces some opposition from environmental groups and local residents.
