Beowulf pins hopes on ex-MEP chairman Goran Farm

Mineral exploration and development company Beowulf Mining announced the appointment of Per Göran Färm - known as Göran - as non-executive chairman of the company with immediate effect on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm said Göran has been an elected Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004 and, then again, from 2007 to 2014.

He was also deputy mayor of Norrköping during the 1990s.

It said Göran has experience in industrial policy as a former head of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation's unit for economic policy and investigation, as head of business issues in the City of Norrköping and as former MEP of the Committee of Industry, Research, and Energy of the European Parliament.

“I would like to give a final thanks to Bevan Metcalf, who has contributed so much to the company over the past three years, and wish him the best in his retirement,” said CEO Kurt Budge.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Göran to the team.”

Budge said he had shown “great enthusiasm” to playing a role in what were set to be the final stages to being awarded an exploitation concession for Kallak North.

“He has tremendous experience with Swedish media and politics, and will greatly complement the Beowulf team.”

Göran reportedly has “extensive experience” in communications as a former journalist, director of information at Riksbyggen, and as a public affairs advisor.

In 2015, Göran was elected as chairman of Kommuninvest, a public development bank owned by Swedish municipalities, cities, and regions.

“I am very pleased to be taking over stewardship of Beowulf from Bevan Metcalf, and I would like to join Kurt in thanking Bevan for his contribution to the company,” Göran Färm said.

“The crucial task ahead is to get the Kallak project in Jokkmokk started.

“We welcome that the government has asked the County Administrative Board for the County of Norrbotten to deliver its final opinion by 1 December 2017.”

Göran said he was “looking forward” to taking part and contributing to the development of a new and sustainable mining operation in Sweden, at Kallak.

“Through collaboration with local stakeholders, the company will continue to reach out, seek, and find mutually acceptable solutions, and thereby overcome challenges.

“The scoping study provides an excellent opportunity to further demonstrate the company's ambition, to design and engineer a modern and sustainable mining operation, with proper care and attention given to the interests of reindeer herding communities.

“Kallak has the potential to transform Jokkmokk, with new jobs, new business opportunities, and new investment and development.”