TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robert Friedland, Executive Chairman and founder of Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) (OTCQX:IVPAF), and Lars-Eric Johansson, Chief Executive Officer, today announced the strengthening of the company’s senior management team with the appointment of Egizio Bianchini as Ivanhoe’s Executive Vice Chairman.
BMO Capital Markets has announced Mr. Bianchini’s forthcoming retirement as Vice Chairman and Co-Head of its Global Metals & Mining Group after 29 years with the organization.
Mr. Bianchini’s appointment with Ivanhoe Mines will be effective March 12, 2018. He also will join Ivanhoe’s board of directors as the company continues with the development of its three tier-one mining projects in Southern Africa: Kamoa-Kakula, Kipushi and Platreef.
"Ivanhoe Mines has worked with Egizio for more than 20 years as the company has evolved into a significant international mining enterprise. Now, the Ivanhoe directors agree that Egizio is the person to help us escalate the momentum we have generated with our world-scale discoveries and mine development projects in Africa,” Mr. Friedland said.
“Our next phase of growth involves securing the strategic financing to bring these projects into production. Egizio is one of the most respected and accomplished investment banking professionals in the world’s metals and mining sector. He has a deep understanding and appreciation of our projects and a career of experience working in major capital markets and leading strategic transactions to achieve value creation. His vision, knowledge and success record are enhancing qualities that will support Ivanhoe’s ambition as we embark on our next phase of growth,” Mr. Friedland added.
“Over the years, I have come to appreciate that qualified people realize the greatest potential of quality projects. Egizio’s appointment is reminiscent of our situation in 2001 when the late Ed Flood joined us from Haywood Securities, becoming Deputy Chairman to support the development of our Oyu Tolgoi gold and copper discovery in Mongolia. Ed was instrumental in helping to secure Rio Tinto as a strategic financing partner for Oyu Tolgoi – an arrangement that proved key to Oyu Tolgoi’s emergence as one of the world’s top copper and gold mines. We are confident that Egizio will help Ivanhoe’s board and senior management to achieve other outstanding outcomes for our current shareholders and stakeholders.”
Mr. Johansson acknowledged Mr. Bianchini’s career achievements as a seasoned leader with significant experience working with the public financial markets and delivering value to shareholders. “We are fortunate to have him join us as Executive Vice Chairman at this stage of our development and look forward to his advice and guidance in executing our financing and strategic initiatives to help lead Ivanhoe to its next level of success.”
Mr. Bianchini commented, “I am very privileged to have the opportunity to assume this role at such an exciting time for Ivanhoe Mines. As leader of the company’s external banking team, I have developed a deep appreciation for the quality of Ivanhoe’s projects and its depth of talented people. Robert is one of the mining industry's best known and most successful entrepreneurs, a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centred leadership approach to its business. I will be working closely with Robert, Lars-Eric and other members of Ivanhoe’s management team to continue to deliver on the company’s strategic growth plan.”
Mr. Bianchini, Vice Chairman of BMO Capital Markets since April 2011, has 30 years’ experience in the metals and mining financial services sector. He has an extensive track record in advising a wide range of metals and mining companies around the world and in structuring and executing initial public offerings and other capital raisings.
Before joining BMO Capital Markets, Mr. Bianchini worked for a major producer of precious metals. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Toronto.
About Ivanhoe Mines
Ivanhoe Mines is advancing its three principal projects in southern Africa: 1) Mine development at the Platreef platinum-palladium-gold-nickel-copper discovery on the Northern Limb of South Africa’s Bushveld Complex; 2) mine development and exploration at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project on the Central African Copperbelt in the DRC; and 3) upgrading at the historic, high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine, also on the DRC’s Copperbelt. For details, visit www.ivanhoemines.com.
Information contacts
Investors
Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834
Media
North America: Bob Williamson +1.604.512.4856
South Africa: Jeremy Michaels +27.82.772.1122