Georgian Mining rises on appointment of technical services manager

The AIM-traded firm said Cleghorn, which it described as a “highly experienced geologist”, would be working with its 50% owned subsidiary Georgian Copper & Gold, as it proceeded with the development of the Kvemo Bolnisi gold-copper project and undertook further regional exploration at the 860 square kilometre licence located on the prolific Tethyan Belt in Georgia.

It said Cleghorn is a geologist with 28 years of experience in mining geology and project development, with an emphasis on resource and reserve estimation in primarily gold and base metals mines.

For the last five years, Cleghorn served as resource manager and then technical services manager for KEFI Minerals.

That role included management and supervision of technical programmes in preparation for project execution and mining.

In 2006, Cleghorn was appointed exploration manager for JSC Madneuli, owner of the Madneuli copper and gold mine in Georgia.

Following the acquisition of Madneuli by GeoProMining in 2008, he was appointed chief geologist, responsible for all geological aspects of the project including exploration and resource and reserve activities related to the mining operations as well as exploration programmes in Armenia and Northern Russia.

Madneuli was subsequently acquired in 2011 by RMG Copper & Gold, owned by GEO's partner in the GCG joint venture.

Cleghorn has held senior roles on projects in Armenia, Georgia, Russia, south east Asia, Europe, South America and Australia.

During his career, he has been responsible for production geology management; due diligence project review; management of mining studies and project upgrades; as well as resource and reserve work for feasibility and scoping studies for project finance and development, the Georgian Mining board said.

He is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and frequently served as a ‘competent person’ under JORC guidelines.

Cleghorn holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mineral Exploration & Mining Geology (Honours) from the Western Australia School of Mines in Kalgoorlie.

“We're very pleased to have Simon join our team in Georgia,” said Georgian Mining CEO Mike Struthers.

“Simon's experience spans the wide range of activities we are undertaking across our 50% owned 860 square kilometre licence in the prolific Tethyan Belt, ranging from grassroots exploration, target definition and testing, through to technical and feasibility studies on our more advanced projects.

“Simon's detailed knowledge of the region will enhance our potential for developing other opportunities, and his close relationships with our partners' technical and operations staff will further strengthen the joint venture relationships, building on the excellent progress in recent months.”