Board and Management
Experienced metallurgist, Dr Fred Hess has recently been appointed Managing Director (former Managing Director of ASX Listed PanAust Limited, which was successfully acquired by GRAM at a valuation of over A$1 billion). Strong Board and technical team of experienced external consultants lead by Study Manager, Tim Benfield.
Paul Harris - Executive Chair
Mr Harris holds a Masters in Mining and Mineral Engineering (M.Eng (Mining) and a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm (Finance)) both from the University of New South Wales. Mr Harris also has a graduate diploma in Applied Finance and Investments from the Securities Institute of Australia and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD.) He has over 30 years experience in the financial markets and investment banking, more recently advising mining corporates on strategy, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets. His most recent position was Managing Director, Head of Metals and Mining at Citi, having previously worked for many years at Merrill Lynch and Bankers Trust.
In the last 3 years Paul has held Directorships in the following listed entities – Aurelia Metals Ltd, Highfield Resources Ltd & Koonenberry Gold Ltd.
Dr Fred Hess - Non-Executive Director
Dr Hess has a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry, Mathematics), Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Inorganic Chemistry) and is a Doctor of Philosophy (Metallurgical Engineering). His career spans more than 41 years in mining project development, operations and senior management across the Asia Pacific region. His experience covers open cut and underground mine development and operation across both base and precious metals. Most recently Fred was Managing Director of PanAust Limited.
In the last 3 years Fred has held a Directorship in the following listed entity – Ironbark Zinc Ltd.
Andrew Greville - Non Executive Director
Mr Greville is a senior international mining executive with over 36 years’ experience and a track record of success. His expertise is particularly strong in the fields of business development, mergers and acquisitions, product marketing and strategy.
Tim Benfield - General Manager Walford Creek Project
David Hwang - Automic Group Company Secretary
Mr David Hwang is an experienced corporate lawyer specialising in listings on ASX (IPOs and reverse listings), equity capital markets, mergers & acquisitions and providing advice on corporate governance and compliance issues.
Iain Miller - Chief Geologist
Iain Miller is a geologist with over 20 years of international experience in mineral exploration, mining, and resource development across Australia, Canada, Africa, and Asia. He has worked across a wide range of commodities, including copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, silver, PGEs, and coal.
As Chief Geologist at Aeon Metals, Iain leads the Walford Creek exploration program, with a focus on resource growth, project advancement, and the planning and execution of targeted drilling campaigns.
Iain Hutcheson - Operations Manager
Iain Hutcheson is a highly regarded industry professional with proven expertise in project management, stakeholder relations, and team leadership. Holding Site Senior Executive (SSE) qualification and over 30 years of international resource sector experience across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, Iain has delivered successful outcomes across the full spectrum of base metal exploration from grassroots to advanced development.
