Board of Directors

Our experienced and multi-disciplined board is committed to enhancing and protecting the interests of our shareholders and other stakeholders.

Michelle Li , Non-executive Chairperson
PhD, GAICD

Dr Li was appointed as non-executive Chairperson on 29 October 2013. Dr Li is a mineral processing engineer and metallurgist with over 20 years' experience in the Australian mining sector.

Dr Li's experience includes senior roles at CITIC Pacific, Rio Tinto and Iluka Resources, as well as a senior project role on the Grange Resources Southdown project. Dr Li has a PhD from the University of Queensland and is currently a non-executive Director of Ardiden Limited and was previously a non-executive Director of Orion Metals Limited and Sherwin Iron Limited.

Honglin Zhao , Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer

Mr Zhao is a former Director of Shagang International (Australia) Pty Ltd, former Director and General Manager of Shagang (Australia) Pty Ltd, and former Director of Jiangsu Shagang Group, ultimate shareholder of Shagang International Holdings Limited and China's largest private steel company.

Mr Zhao has over 40 years' experience in the industry and was previously the Commander of Project Development Headquarters with Shagang. Mr Zhao has extensive project management and implementation experience and expertise.

Chongtao Xu , Executive Director

Mr Xu is a former head of steel merger & acquisition division of Shagang Investment Holding Co Ltd, the investment arm of China’s largest private steel company. Mr Xu specialises in investment of upstream and downstream processes for steel producers.

Mr Xu has extensive management experience in private equity projects. Mr Xu managed a portfolio with the marketable value of over four billion Australian dollars. Mr Xu holds a Master of Science (Hons) from University College London.

Ajanth Saverimutto , Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director and Member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Mr Saverimutto is a Mining Engineer and Accountant with over 25 years’ experience in the resources industry. Mr Saverimutto has extensive Corporate and Senior Management experience in a number of ASX-listed and private companies. Currently Mr Saverimutto is President and Director of Black Mountain Metals, a private, natural resources company. Mr Saverimutto’s previous positions include Managing Director of ASX listed Venturex Resources, Managing Director and Founder of privately held Australian company Salt Lake Mining.

Mr Saverimutto has held senior operational roles including Mining Manager for leading international copper producer Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX), Chief Operating Officer of ASXlisted gold miner Unity Mining and Mining Manager for BHP Billiton – Stainless Steel Materials.

Mr Saverimutto was appointed to the board on 1 June 2021.

Michael Dontschuk , Non-executive Director
BSc (Hons), FFTP, GAICD

Independent Non-executive Director, Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee, Chairperson of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Mr Dontschuk is a finance professional with over 35 years’ experience in investment, finance, treasury and financial risk management. He currently is a professional NED and sits on a number of company boards including Eticore, Public Trustee (Tasmania) and Australia Ratings.

Previously Mr Dontschuk has been Group Treasurer of Grange Resources, Group Treasurer of ANZ Bank, Managing Director of Treasury Corporation Victoria, President and Director of the Finance and Treasury Association of Australia and has worked extensively in corporate financial advisory and investment banking including with Oakvale Capital and Bankers Trust.

Tianxiao Shen , Non-executive Director

Tianxiao Shen is currently the deputy general manager of Shagang International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Jiangsu Shagang Group, China’s largest private-owned steel conglomerate. Ms. Shen has extensive experience in raw material procurement and trade, company management, and supply chain operation management, investment planning.

Piers Lewis , Company Secretary
BComm, CA, AGIA

Mr Lewis has more than 20 years' global corporate experience and is currently the Company Secretary and CFO for ASX listed companies Cycliq Group Limited, Ultima United Limited and is Company Secretary of iBosses Corporation Limited. Mr Lewis also serves on the board of Ardiden Limited, Cycliq Group Limited and Hawkley Oil & Gas Limited.

In 2001 Mr Lewis qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte (Perth) he has extensive and diverse financial and corporate experience from previous senior management roles with Credit Suisse (London), Mizuho International and NAB Capital. Mr Lewis is also a Chartered Company Secretary.

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