Since the 1980s, Executive Chairman David Sproule has worked across Australia and in Africa, leading the development of several successful gold mining and processing operations. Mr Sproule specialises in value creation when developing mine projects by applying an ‘owner build’ model, which has proven to significantly reduce development costs.

Mr David Sproule has a Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering from the Western Australian School of Mines and has been self-employed in the Australian mining industry for most of the previous 35 years.

Mr Sproule has specialised in value creation within the minerals industry, founding and managing, a private group which developed 8 Australian gold projects over 25 years. An “owner build” model was applied to all operations significantly reducing typical mine development costs. The projects collectively returned +1,350% in fully franked dividends on initial shareholder investment.

Notable experience includes:

• Significant experience as a contractor and junior equity partner on a number of successful gold projects in WA during the 1980’s.
• Owning Canbelego Tailings Project (1992 – 1995) recovering Ag and Au from the retreating of complex supergene flotation tailings purchased from Pasminco’s Elura Pb/Zn mine.
• Owning Magellan Lead Project (1997-1998) and subsequently introducing Irish company Ivernia west as a JV partner then selling project for $8.0M.
• Developed two open cut pits over the historic Mt Boppy workings treating the ore on site returning significant increase on initial capital invested.
• Acquisition of Nimbus Silver Mine in SA (2004 – 2006) from Barrick for $1.0M + 5% NSR which went on to produce 3Moz silver and 5,000oz gold over 18 months.
• Established a 50% JV with Exco contributing $6.0M in cash to modify and bring the Hellyer Concentrator back on line to retreat the Hellyer Tailings recovering Pb, Zn and Ag during the period 2006-2008.

Mr Sproule was previously Chairman of Polymetals Mining Limited from its listing on ASX in 2011 until the company merged with Southern Cross Goldfields.