Our Leadership

Perseus’s management is fundamental in the continued ongoing success of our business.
Board of Directors

Rick Menell
Independent Non-Executive Chairman

Rick is an eminent South African citizen whose business career has spanned over 40 years and has involved senior leadership roles in a range of major African based resources companies.

Trained originally as an exploration geologist at Cambridge and Stanford universities, Rick worked as a geologist in Canada, USA and South Africa before spending time as an investment banker for the mining industry in New York and Australia with JP Morgan. After a period as an executive director for Delta Gold in Australia, working on new gold mines in Australia and gold and platinum projects in Zimbabwe, he returned to South Africa in 1991 and rejoined the mining industry there as finance director for diversified mining company Anglovaal Mining.

Rick led Anglovaal Mining from 1996 as CEO and then Executive Chairman until 2004. During this time, he managed the restructuring, transformation and modernisation of the group, including major investments in new platinum, gold, manganese, chrome, iron ore, coal and nickel mines in South Africa, new ferrochrome and ferromanganese smelters in South Africa, and investments in copper and cobalt mining, smelting and refining in Zambia. This work continued when he merged Anglovaal with Patrice Motsepe’s ARM to form African Rainbow Minerals, where he remained Deputy Chairman, and also CEO of subsidiary Teal Mining and Exploration Inc, until he left the group in 2008.

Up to 2011, Rick also served as President of the SA Minerals Council, Chairman of Tourism SA, Chairman of Bateman Engineering, Deputy Chairman of Harmony Gold and of Associated Manganese Mines, and a director of Standard Bank Group, Telkom South Africa and Mutual & Federal Insurance. He has been a director of the World Gold Council, senior advisor to the WTO, the IOM and a Mining Council member for the World Economic Forum. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society (London), and of the SAIMM and the AusIMM.

In 2011, Rick joined Credit Suisse investment banking group as a Senior Advisor, working on transactions in all sectors, and throughout sub-Saharan Africa, leaving the group on its merger with UBS in 2023. He has retained an active involvement in leadership in the mining and mining supplies industries, retiring recently as Deputy Chairman of Gold Fields Ltd and as Senior Independent Director of the Weir Group (UK). He remains an Independent Non-Executive Director at Sibanye-Stillwater Limited, a precious and energy-transition metals mining company listed in Johannesburg and New York, having served for several years as Lead Independent Director.

Rick has also been active throughout his career in the nonprofit-sector, serving on numerous boards including the Business Trust, the NBI, BLSA and the CDE, all in South Africa. He is founding Co-Chairman of City Year South Africa youth service organisation, a trustee of the Foundation at the University of the Western Cape and a member of the Advisory Board of the African Leadership Academy. His activities focus on secondary, tertiary and post tertiary education and on active citizenship such as the SA Solidarity Fund, where he served as a full-time volunteer executive in a team dealing with health and humanitarian consequences of the COVID pandemic. He headed a funding effort that has raised approximately US$250 million in support of urgent programmes for everyone in need, both citizens and non-citizens.

He has been involved in the founding and funding of a similar new initiative in 2023: the Resource Mobilization Fund. This has been set up at the request of the South African President to engage the private sector to assist in dealingwith the enormous national challenges of power and water supply, failing transport infrastructure and eroding rule of law through public-private partnerships.

Dr Ransom has more than 45 years of experience within the mining industry in Australia and abroad. He is a graduate of the University of Sydney (BSc Geology) (Hons) and Australian National University (PhD – Structural Geology). His earlier experience included roles as a project geologist with the Aberfoyle Group in Australia and Cominco Ltd in Canada. Dr Ransom also worked as a specialist consultant for 20 years with a clientele including CRA, BHP, Newmont and numerous companies in the microcap sector, specialising in structural geology.

For 17 years, Dr Ransom worked for Acorn Capital Ltd as resource analyst/portfolio manager focusing on the microcap materials and energy sectors. He is well known and highly regarded in the fund management industry. He retired from Acorn Capital Ltd in September 2016 but remains a consultant. Dr Ransom has extensive board experience gained over the past 25 years in small mining and exploration companies.

Mr Ransom sits on the Technical Committee and the Sustainability Committee.

Jeff Quartermaine
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Jeffrey Quartermaine was appointed to the role of managing director and chief executive officer of Perseus Mining Limited, on 1 February 2013 after previously serving as the group’s chief financial officer from 2010 to 2013.

Since assuming the role of CEO, Mr Quartermaine has played a major role in turning Perseus into a viable business by formulating and implementing a growth strategy designed to transform Perseus into a multi–mine, multi-jurisdictional gold producer with production in excess of 500,000 ounces from 2022 onwards.

Mr Quartermaine has more than 30 years’ experience in senior corporate, financial, and strategic management roles with ASX and TSX-listed resources companies involving operations in Australia, as well as countries in Asia Pacific, South America, and West Africa. He is a Fellow of the Society of Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) who holds both business management (MBA) and civil engineering qualifications (BE).

Mr Quartermaine is a member of the Sustainability Committee.

Amber Banfield
Independent Non-Executive Director

Ms Amber Banfield was appointed to the role of Non-Executive Director of Perseus in May 2021. 

Ms Banfield holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental and Civil) degree and a Master of Business Administration, both awarded by the University of Western Australia.

Ms Banfield held management positions with Worley for 20 years, contributing to the Australian company growing into the world’s largest energy and resources engineering services provider. Ms Banfield’s most recent roles included Global Strategy Manager and Global M&A Manager where amongst other things, she was responsible for developing and implementing a company-wide Energy Transition strategy to grow decarbonizing businesses including hydrogen and renewables.

Ms Banfield is the Chairperson of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee and of the Sustainability Committee.

Elissa Cornelius
Non-Executive Director

Ms Cornelius is a Chartered Accountant (ICAA) with a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) from Curtin University and has over 20 years of experience in a range of financial roles with Australian and International companies.

Ms Cornelius has held financial management roles with various companies involved with gold, base metals and oil & gas mining in Australia and internationally. Most recently, until her decision to step down from executive duties in October 2020, Elissa served as Perseus Mining’s Chief Financial Officer, having first joined the company in 2010 and promoted to CFO in 2013.

Ms Cornelius sits on the Audit and Risk and Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Daniel Lougher
Independent Non-Executive Director

Mr Daniel Lougher’s professional qualifications including a Bachelor of Science (Honours) of Mining Geology, a Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Mining) and a Master of Science (Engineering). Mr Lougher also holds a First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency (WA) and is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

 In total, Mr Lougher’s professional career spans more than 35 years involving a range of exploration, feasibility, development, operations, and corporate roles with Australian and international mining companies including a period of eighteen years spent in Africa with BHP Billiton, Impala Plats, Anglo American and Genmin.

Mr Lougher is the Chairperson for the Technical Committee and sits on the Audit and Risk and Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

John McGloin
Independent Non-Executive Director

Mr John McGloin is the former Chairman and CEO of Amara Mining and joined Perseus in April 2016, following the scheme of arrangement between Amara Mining and its shareholders becoming effective.

Mr McGloin is a geologist and graduate of Camborne School of Mines. He has worked for many years in Africa across the mining industry, consultancy and subsequently and investment banking

Over the years, Mr McGloin has held senior positions with African Platinum, Randgold Resources, Avocet Mining, European Goldfields, Titanium Resources Group, Arbuthnot Banking Group following, Evolution Securities and Collins Stewart.

Mr McGloin is the Chairperson of the Board’s Remuneration and Nomination Committee and is a member of the Technical Committee.

Senior Leadership Team

Amanda Weir
Chief Operating Officer

Ms Amanda Weir has more than 20 years’ experience in the mining industry and has held executive level roles for nearly half this time, including as Chief Transformation Officer and Senior Vice President of Canadian Operations for Newcrest. She was involved in integrating Newcrest’s operations into Newmont and became Newmont’s Interim Group Head Mineral Resource Management. Previously she was General Manager Transformation and Effectiveness at Evolution Mining and held various strategy, innovation and technical roles at BHP over a nine-year tenure.

Ms Weir has a Bachelor of Mining Engineering, a Bachelor of Applied Geology, and a Master of Mine Management.

Lee-Anne de Bruin
Chief Financial Officer

Ms Lee-Anne de Bruin is a Certified Chartered Accountant, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Accounting from the University of Witwatersrand (Johannesburg).

Ms de Bruin has over 18 years of senior financial, operational, and strategic management and board director experience across multiple industries and jurisdictions. She has extensive experience in the resources sector, and has held senior positions at Gem Diamonds, BHP, Newmont, and Resolute Mining before joining Perseus in 2020.

Ms de Bruin is a Director of the Perseus Mining subsidiaries in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

Melanie Pollard
Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer

Ms Melanie Pollard has over 15 years’ experience in the international development sector and resource industry, and has lived and worked in Europe, West Africa, Papua New-Guinea and Australia. She started her career as Project Manager with the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, an EU-led international organiastion in the security, defense and justice & home affairs fields, before moving to the resource industry. Melanie has extensive experience in sustainability, international human resources, HSS, stakeholder engagement, learning and development and communications and has held various roles at Chicago Bridge & Iron and Resolute Mining before joining Perseus in June 2023.

Ms Pollard holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from La Sorbonne University, Paris (France), is a Councilor of the WA Chapter of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI) and a member of Bureau Veritas Impartiality Committee.

Martijn Bosboom
General Counsel & Company Secretary

Martijn Bosboom was appointed Perseus’ General Counsel and Company Secretary in 2013. Mr Bosboom holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Laws from the University of Leiden, the Netherlands. He also holds the Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance issued by, and is a Fellow of, the Governance Institute of Australia.

Mr Bosboom has more than 30 years’ experience as a corporate commercial lawyer across various industries and jurisdictions.

Douglas Jones
Group General Manager – Exploration

Dr Douglas Jones is a geologist with over 40 years of international exploration, exploration management and consulting experience in the mining industry. Dr Jones is a member of AusIMM (CP, Geo), AIG and SEG.

Between 2007 and 2014 Dr Jones served variously as Technical and Managing Director of Liontown Resources and Chalice Gold Mines responsible for exploration projects in Australia, Canada and Eritrea, the latter including the completion of exploration and feasibility studies on the Zara Gold Project before its sale to Chinese interests. Prior to that Dr Jones served for five years as Vice President Exploration for Golden Star Resources, responsible for their exploration activities in West Africa and South America. Earlier in his career Dr Jones served in senior exploration roles at Delta Gold Limited, Golden Shamrock Mines and Pancontinental Mining, where he was instrumental in the discovery of the Siguiri Gold Project in Guinea.

Dr Jones has also served as a Non-Executive Director of TSX- and AIM-listed companies Minera IRL Limited, Serabi Gold Limited and Moto Goldmines Limited.

Matthew Scully
Group General Manager – Development

Mr Matthew Scully has built his career in Project Management within the mining sector completing both greenfield and brownfields projects of varying sizes on three continents over the past 15+years. The latest project prior to joining Perseus was the completion of the 100% Evolution Mining owned $180 million Mt Carlton Gold/Silver Project in North Queensland.

Mr Scully has a range of experience in various commodities including Manganese, Nickel, Copper and Gold and has managed projects both for underground and open pit operations.

Mr Scully joined Perseus in December 2016 and completed successfully the development of the Sissingué Project in Northern Côte d’Ivoire.

Merlin Thomas
General Manager Operations, Yaouré

Mr Merlin Thomas took up the role of General Manager at Sissingué in October 2017 and has recently been appointed General Manager of Yaouré, Perseus third Gold Mine (March 2020). He is a mining professional with more than 35 years’ experience in the operation, commissioning, construction and evaluation of mineral projects in gold and base metals across five continents. Prior to joining Perseus Mining he was with First Quantum Minerals for 9 years and Zara Mining for 2 years.

Mr Thomas has a degree in Mineral Processing from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, London University, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining, a Chartered Engineer (Engineering Council, UK), a European Ingénieur (FEANI), and a Practitioner Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.

Stephen Kofi Ndede
General Manager Operations, Edikan

Mr Stephen Kofi Ndede was appointed the General Manager of the Edikan mine of Perseus mining in 2017 after working in the company as the Mining Operations manager for 2 years. Before joining Perseus Mr Ndede was the Business Improvement Manager of Golden Star Resources.

Mr Ndede has over 30 years’ experience in mine planning and operations and over the years has worked for Anglogold Ashanti, RandGold Resources and other companies in West-Africa. Mr Ndede has a track record of turning around distressed companies to profitable entities and was instrumental in turning around the fortunes of Iduapriem mine around in the early 2000s into a profitable mine.

Mr Ndede holds an MSc (1993) in Mining Engineering from the Camborne School of mines and a post – graduate Diploma in Mining Engineering from Tarkwa School of Mines.

Michael Cardinaels
General Manager Operations, Sissingué

Mr Michael Cardinaels was appointed to the role of General Manager at Sissingué in March 2020. Mr Cardinaels joined Perseus in September 2017 as Mining Manager taking the operation from construction to full scale production and was subsequently appointed to the role of Operations Manager in March 2019.

Mr Cardinaels received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Queensland and holds qualifications in Management from the Australian Institute of Management and an Unrestricted Quarry Manager’s certification.

Mr Cardinaels has 20 years of experience in the mining industry with multiple commodities.

Mr Cardinaels began his career in underground gold mining followed by multiple operational and technical services roles in open cut coal in Australia. Prior to joining Perseus, he spent more than 5 years managing a major expansion and production at MMG’s Kinsevere open pit Copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mark Somlyay
Group General Manager-Commercial

Mr Mark Somlyay was appointed to his current role in November 2018, having spent the previous 4 years based at Perseus’s African operations where he oversaw the financial, supply chain and commercial functions.

Mr Somlyay holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Queensland and is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA). Prior to joining Perseus, Mark has spent 18 years in senior Finance, Commercial and Business Improvement roles in Australia, Africa and internationally with a range of companies including London Mining, Inmet Mining, Barrick Africa, Oceana Gold and Xstrata.

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