22 September 2024
Giyani Metals Corp (TSX-V:EMM, OTC:CATPF) CEO Charles FitzRoy joined Proactive to discuss the company’s significant achievement of securing a mining license for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana.
FitzRoy highlighted the importance of the mining license, which was obtained within nine months, reflecting the strong support from the Botswana Government.
Proactive: I introduce you as CEO because you’ve been appointed to that role last week. Congratulations on that. First off, can you share your thoughts on taking over the new role and maybe a bit about your background as well?
Charles FitzRoy: Thanks. I’ve been at Giyani for just under a year, where I was head of corporate development and strategy, with a focus on corporate development and off-take agreements. I was appointed CEO last Thursday.
Prior to this, I was CEO of Bradda Head Lithium, a lithium explorer and developer with projects in the US. We raised over $33 million, and I was responsible for listing the company on AIM and later on OTCQB and TSX-V. I have a background in geology with a master’s in economic geology and have worked in M&A, asset management, and corporate development in the mining sector.
Proactive: You’ve been with Giyani for a year, so you’re familiar with the project. And recently, you secured the mining license, which is a huge milestone. Can you talk about what this license means moving forward?
Charles FitzRoy: Yes, it’s a fantastic achievement for the company. We secured the mining license very quickly, reflecting the strong support from Botswana as a mining jurisdiction. We also received our environmental authorisation within nine months and secured our land rights earlier this year.
These de-risking steps have lined up perfectly, and with the DFS underway, we’re targeting first production by the end of next year.
Proactive: There’s been a lot of support from the local government in Botswana. Can you elaborate on that?
Charles FitzRoy: Yes, we’ve had excellent support from the Ministry of Minerals and Energy, and the Department of Mines. Our ESG team and country manager have also played key roles. Botswana is a first-rate jurisdiction for critical minerals, and we are helping develop the battery supply chain in Africa.
Proactive: As you look towards 2024 and 2025, off-take agreements are a big part of your focus. Will you continue to handle that as CEO?
Charles FitzRoy: Yes, off-take agreements are a major part of my background. At Giyani, we’re making good progress with our demonstration plant, and we’ll produce our first product in Q4 this year. Off-take discussions are ongoing and will be a key part of project financing and the DFS as we move into next year.
