The Gold Industry Group (GIG) welcomed three new Directors at its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday resulting in an even gender split, including Westgold Group Executive Chairman Peter Cook, Saracen Mineral Holdings General Manager People, Culture and Communications Marianne Dravnieks, and Newmont Group Executive Legal, Sustainability and External Relations Australia Andrew Kennedy.
(First on left) Westgold Group’s Executive Chairman and newly appointed Gold Industry Group Director Peter Cook with colleagues at the 2020 Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum.
(Second from right) Saracen Mineral Holdings’ General Manager People, Culture and Communications and newly appointed Gold Industry Group Director Marianne Dravnieks.
Newmont’s Group Executive Legal, Sustainability and External Relations Australia and newly appointed Gold Industry Group Director Andrew Kennedy speaking at the 2018 Women in Gold Diversity Debate.
Evolution Mining Vice President – Sustainability (HSE, Risk & Social Responsibility) Fiona Murfitt and Independent Consultant Giulia Savio were also re-elected, after joining the Board in early 2020.
Long-term Directors who retained their positions included Gold Fields Vice President of Legal and Compliance Kelly Carter; Northern Star Resources Chief Executive Officer Stuart Tonkin; AngloGold Ashanti Australia Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Community and Human Resources Andrea Maxey; Perth Mint Chief Executive Officer Richard Hayes and Gold Road Resources General Manager for Capability and Culture Stuart Jenner. Directors Phillip Cochineas and David Woodford were unsuccessful in their bids for re-election, and we thank them for their contribution.
The Board now comprises five female and five male Directors, with Mr Cook, Ms Dravnieks and Mr Kennedy each bringing a new range of skillsets to the Board.
GIG Chairman embraced the new appointments, saying the infusion of new Directors would help to ensure the Group’s strategy and activities would now be better aligned on all fronts.
“We are fortunate to have a talented pool of Directors that reflect the Group’s diverse impacts across the gold industry and the broader Australian community.”
“Our role is to champion the gold sector and support communities across Australia. Board diversity that reflects a blend of leadership attributes will further enable both the Group and our industry to thrive,” he said.
Mr Cook is a Geologist and a Mineral Economist with more than 35 years’ experience in exploration, project, operation, and corporate management of mining companies. He also the Non-Executive Chairman of Castile Resources Limited.
“Gold has played a pivotal part in Australia’s history and is a foundation of the prosperity all Australians share today. It is my objective to ensure that the impact of the gold sector, past and present, is qualified and quantified so every Australian can appreciate and share its importance and the impact its output has on our continued prosperity,” said Mr Cook.
Ms Dravnieks has more than 30 years of experience in the resources industry, and almost 20 years’ experience in high level human resources support. Ms Dravnieks is also part of Saracen’s executive team.
“The Gold Industry Group is a unique collaboration in industry, and I am very proud to be a part of the Board,” said Ms Dravnieks.
Mr Kennedy has more than 20 years’ experience in legal roles across a variety of organisations. He is committed to the elimination of bias from the workplace and believes that the genuine attainment of diverse and inclusive workforces is essential to the future of the mining sector.
“I look forward to working with the GIG Board and members to build on the great reputation the gold sector has for creating jobs and supporting our local communities,” said Mr Kennedy.
Mr Hayes said the new Board collectively looked forward to building on the success it has had to date.
“The GIG provides a united voice for the gold sector. The platform from which it tells its story, its achievements and accomplishments continues to grow, with new programs and partnerships on the immediate horizon.
“Through the combined efforts of our members, the GIG can ensure all Australians are aware of our story, and I’m delighted to welcome Peter, Marianne and Andrew to our team as we look towards a bright future,” Mr Hayes concluded.
During the Annual General Meeting, the GIG also re-elected its Committee of Management including Treasurer Daniel Borgas and Secretary Bron Suchecki.