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Catalyst Metals has appointed two senior mining executives to its leadership team as the company works towards doubling annual gold production at its Plutonic operations in Western Australia.
Ben MacKinnon will join Catalyst as chief financial officer (CFO), while Rob Williamson has been appointed chief operating officer (COO).
MacKinnon arrives from Develop Global, where he served as CFO from 2023 to 2026, following an earlier stint at DDH1 Drilling, during which he oversaw acquisitions and the company’s listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
Williamson joins from Northern Star, where he oversaw the Jundee and Thunderbox operations as executive general manager of Yandal. He previously managed Saracen’s Carosue Dam operation.
Catalyst managing director and chief executive officer James Champion de Crespigny said the appointments would support the company’s next stage of development.
“We are pleased to have Rob and Ben joining us before the end of the year. Both bring a new take on the business,” he said.
“Their operationally focused, contracting mindset we hope places the company in good stead for the next phase of the business’ life.”
The appointments come as Catalyst works to increase annual gold production across its 40km-long Plutonic gold belt from approximately 100,000 ounces to 200,000 ounces.
Catalyst currently produces gold from three mines, Plutonic Main, Plutonic East and Keillor, with Trident Underground, Cinnamon and Old Highway being brought into production. The company plans to process ore from the additional mines through its existing two-million-tonne-per-annum processing plant, while targeting a 10-year mine life at Plutonic.
The leadership changes also mark a transition for interim CFO Sylvain Guillaume, who will remain with Catalyst to lead commercial projects after overseeing its finance function for the past 12 months.
Champion de Crespigny said Guillaume had made an important contribution during a challenging period for the business.
“I’d like to take the time to mention Sylvain Guillaume – a key member of the team for the last three years and who has stepped into a difficult situation, as he often does, and steered the finance department over the last 12 months,” he said.
As Catalyst prepares for its next phase of growth, Champion de Crespigny said the expanded leadership team would oversee the company’s key operational and financial priorities.
“It is through Ben, Rob and Anthony Buckingham that we will manage the key value drivers of the business – finance and capital management, operations and project management,” he said.
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