Appointment of Mining Industry Veteran as Chairman

Emmerson Plc / Ticker: EML / Index: LSE / Sector: Mining

2 July 2018

Emmerson Plc ("Emmerson" or the "Company") 

Appointment of Mining Industry Veteran as Chairman

Emmerson Plc, the Moroccan focused potash development company, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr Mark Connelly as Chairman of the Board. Mr Connelly is an internationally experienced executive with financial, commercial and extensive resource industry experience in CEO, Managing Director and Chairman roles. Mr Edward McDermott, the Company's current Non-Executive Chairman will remain as a Non-Executive Director.

Mark has approximatley 30 years' experience in financing, development, construction and operation of mining projects having worked with a number of multinational companies across multiple jurisdictions globally including Africa, Europe, Australia, North America and South America. His most recent executive role was as Managing Director and CEO of Papillon Resources Limited ("Papillon") which was sold to B2Gold in 2014 for nearly US$600 million.

Prior to Papillon, Mr Connelly was Managing Director of Adamus Resources Limited and was instrumental in its merger with Endeavour Mining Corporation in September 2011, where, following the transaction, which valued the combined entity at US$597 million, Mr Connelly became Chief Operating Officer.

Mark has held leadership positions overseeing the construction of numerous mining operations in Africa including the Fekola Project (B2Gold), Mako Project (Toro Gold) and Nzema Project (Endeavour Mining). Mr Connelly was the recipient of the Mining Journal's "Outstanding Achievement - CEO of the Year 2014 Award" for his role in the development and sale of Papillon Resources.

Mark is currently Non-Executive Chairman at ASX / TSX-V listed West African Resources Ltd, Tao Commodities Ltd and Calidus Resources Limited, former Non-Executive Chairman of Tiger Resources Ltd, and a former Non-Executive Director at Ausdrill Ltd.  Mark is also a Member at Australian Institute of Co. Directors, (MAICD) a Member of the Australian Institute of Management, (AIMM) and a Member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME).

Hayden Locke, Executive Director of Emmerson, commented:

"Mark is a seasoned mining veteran and we are honoured to have him join our Board as Chairman.  He has extensive experience operating in Africa and has assumed leadership roles in the delivery of numerous large scale African mining projects.  He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and mining industry contacts to the Emmerson team at this critical time as we commence on the development pathway for the Khemisset Potash Project, which we believe has the potential to be a low capital cost potash mine."

Mark Connelly commented:

"I look forward to working with the Emmerson team to advance the exciting Khemisset Project and to maximise returns for all shareholders."

Regulatory Information: Mr Mark Anthony Connelly, aged 55, currently holds or has held the following directorships and partnerships in the last five years:

**ENDS**

Notes to Editors

Emmerson's primary focus is on developing the Khemisset Potash Project located in Northern Morocco.  The project has a large JORC Resource Estimate (2012) of 311.4Mt @ 10.2% K₂O and significant exploration potential with an accelerated development pathway targeting a low capex, high margin mine.  Khemisset is perfectly located to capitalise on the expected growth of African fertiliser consumption whilst also being located on the doorstep of European markets. This unique positioning means the project will receive a premium netback price compared to existing potash producers. The need to feed the world's rapidly increasing population is driving demand for potash and Emmerson is well placed to benefit from the opportunities this presents.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014.