11 May 2020

Aura Energy Limited (AEE; ASX, AURA; AIM) is pleased to advise that it has appointed UK-based Mr Paul Heber and Melbourne-based Mr Robert Craigie to the Aura Energy Board with immediate effect as non-executive directors.

The appointments are an important step to ensure Aura maintains the the correct mix of skills and experience on the Board during these testing times for the mining sector both economically and operationally.

The appointment of a UK-based Director has long been an ambition of Aura’s given the London Stock Exchange AIM listing, a number of significant shareholders located in the UK and the fact that approximately 60% of Aura’s recent capital raisings have been performed in the UK.

AIM is also the most proximal market to Aura’s key development projects and the Company expects it will grow in importance to the Company in the coming years. With Aura continuing to press for separate listings for both its gold assets and the Häggån Vanadium Project, AIM is a likely location for those listings. The current international travel ban also imposes restrictions on Aura’s ability to service the UK market and the UK appointment will alleviate this issue.

Mr Paul Heber, the UK Director appointed to fill this role, has been a Director on a number of listed companies with a number of these African focused. Paul has 30 years of experience as an investment manager and stockbroker in global stock markets, following three years in the oil industry. He operated client funds at SG Hambro, National Westminster Bank, W.I. Carr and bespoke boutique, Savoy Investments with in excess of £170m of private and institutional funds under his direct management. He is currently working with Valere Consulting SA, in Zurich and VC Partners in Lichtenstein, with a broad pan-African and UK focus.

Paul has had a long term association with Africa and is also French speaking. Aside from his director’s duties, given his extensive Fund Management & Southern African  Business Network, Paul has led and assisted fund raisings for quoted and private companies in the agricultural, logistical and resources sectors as well as consulting on various African matters from current affairs to commercial introductions. 

On the finance side, Aura has been without an experienced Audit and Finance Chairman since the unfortunate departure of Mr Brett Fraser who was an experienced and valued member of the Aura Board. The appointment of Mr Rob Craigie corrects this deficiency at a time when both the ASX and ASIC are increasing scrutiny and regulation of the viability of ASX-listed companies.

Mr Rob Craigie has been appointed to strengthen this area and is currently CFO and Company Secretary for Circa Group Ltd in Melbourne, where he serves on the Board’s Audit & Risk Committee. He has operated in the Financial Services industry for over 20 years as a senior equities analyst with Baillieu Holst, F W Holst & Co, ANZ Securities and ANZ McCaughan providing analysis and research across resources and mining.

These roles included a range of corporate work (eg. pre-IPO marketing, equity raisings, corporate advice and analysis of funding options). Prior to this, Rob had a 16 year industry career with the Shell Group and its metals business, Billiton, spanning senior technical, planning,  finance and strategy roles, mostly in mining (base metals, gold and bulks), but also in oil and gas. He has been a part-time lecturer with the Securities Institute of Australia (“SIA”) (now part of FINSIA) in Mining Investment Analysis, plus a SIA task force member developing the Advanced Mining Investment Analysis course. Importantly, Rob is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Commenting on the appointments Mr Peter Reeve, Aura Energy’s Executive Chairman said:

“Aura is delighted to welcome Paul and Rob to the Board of Directors of Aura Energy. Collectively they fill important skills that the Company requires as it evolves to its next stage and also for operating in the existing changed business environment. As Aura progresses its Tiris and Häggån developments,financings and its potential IPO’s, the importance of a strong London presence and a strong financial overview is imperative. Both Paul and Rob are seasoned professionals operating on a number of facets of the mining, resources, finance and wealth management sectors and their involvement in Aura will provide great benefits”.

Regulatory Disclosures

The following disclosures are required pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies for Paul David Heber, aged 57.

Paul has no direct or indirect interest in the Company’s ordinary shares.

The following disclosures are required pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies for Robert Cameron Craigie , aged 66.

Rob does not currently hold any directorships, or has held any directorships within the last five years. Rob has no direct or indirect interest in the Company’s ordinary shares.

For more information please visit www.auraenergy.com.au or contact the following:

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