Atrum Coal appoints new chairman

Atrum Coal NL has appointed Robert W. (Bob) Bell as Executive Director and Chairman of the company.

Commenting on the appointment, Bell said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chairman of the Board of Atrum and I am looking forward to meeting shareholders and continuing the work started by James Chisholm.”

“The company is transitioning to a developer and the Board has agreed that a local Chairman would facilitate the next stage of growth. I would like to thank James and the other directors for putting their faith in me and I look forward to delivering shareholder value as we negotiate a sell-down of the Groundhog North Mining Complex, partner with major Asian groups on Panorama North and Panorama South, secure the bulk sample permit and provide samples of our anthracite to various steel mills and other users of high carbon feedstock.”

He continued: “The Board wishes to thank James for the strategic vision that he brought to the company and for his efforts over the past few years, and in particular, over the last few months during a difficult period for the Company.”

Bell has had an extensive career in the coal sector in Canada with more than 27 years of experience in the Canadian coal industry and in international coal markets. He has an established network in the Canadian coal industry and has served in the past on the board and as Chair of the Coal Association of Canada.

Bell also has broad experience in transportation including negotiation of major rail and port agreements, logistics and arbitration of commercial disputes, transportation strategy, marketing strategy development, major commercial agreement negotiations with steel mills and off-take partners and general corporate development.

He served two terms as Chair of Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd., one of the largest bulk commodity export terminals in western North America. He currently serves on the boards of the Western Canadian Shippers Coalition and the Western Canadian Coal Society.

With the Bulk Sample Permit process nearing completion, Bell bringing his Canadian-based experience to this new position will be helpful to the company’s transition from explorer to developer.

The new appointment will also help in moving the company from an Australian-based operation to one with its head office in Vancouver, Canada. This is a result of focusing on Canadian operations. The company will have one registered off remaining in Sydney, along with some finance, audit and company secretarial functions.

Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/17112015/atrum-coal-appoints-new-chairman-3166/