ASX-listed Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) has announced a management shake-up after COO Chris Jordaan resigned to pursue other, non-competing opportunities. He will leave the role on November 9.

Jordaan, who joined ASM in 2022, played a central role in the company’s operations in both Korea and Australia. At the Korean Metals Plant, he oversaw new global customer contracts, the expansion of metallisation capability, and the first commercial sale of heavy rare earth metals terbium and dysprosium. In Australia, he worked with the Dubbo project team to deliver the rare earth options assessment and the heap leach scoping study, opening the door to a more cost-effective pathway for the project.

MD and CEO Rowena Smith praised his contribution. “I would like to thank Chris for his contribution and counsel while at ASM. His efforts at the KMP have positioned us for further ramp-up success, as well as potential international expansion opportunities. In addition, his work with the Dubbo project has helped us identify a transformational approach to our cornerstone rare earths project,” she said. “The entire ASM team wishes Chris well in his future endeavours.”

ASM is taking the opportunity to restructure its leadership team, scrapping the COO role and creating two new positions: VP operations metals and VP operations Australia. Both will report directly to Smith.

The metals role will cover the Korean plant, the research and development division, and US expansion opportunities, and will be filled on an interim basis by VP sales and marketing, Peter Finnimore. The Australia role, overseeing the Dubbo project and Toongi Pastoral Company, will be filled on an interim basis by GM Technical, Wayne Dicinoski.

Recruitment is under way for permanent appointments.

Smith said the shake-up was about strengthening ASM for its next growth phase. “As we enter an exciting phase of growth across multiple fronts, this revised management structure represents a timely opportunity to establish the right team to support and accelerate that growth. It will better enable our teams on the ground in Australia and Korea, strengthen our expansion efforts in the US, and sharpen the focus on executing on the various disciplines of our mine to metals strategy.

“I am grateful to be able to call upon the experience and know-how of Peter Finnimore and Wayne Dicinoski at this time – both highly valued, long-term members of the ASM team. With their combined expertise, we can ensure a seamless transition between Chris’s departure and our future permanent appointments.”