Australian Strategic Materials Limited announced that Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Woodall, has advised the Board of his intention to step down from both roles, and would be leaving the Company
immediately. In accepting Mr. Woodall's decision, the Board thanked him for his contribution to ASM, particularly for laying the foundations for the Company to take advantage of the global demand for critical metals. During Mr. Woodall's tenure, ASM has delivered a strong Optimisation Study for the Dubbo Project, acquired innovative metallisation technology, constructed its first metals plant in South Korea, and signed an engineering, procurement and construction definition contract with Hyundai Engineering. Mr. Gandel also announced that Ms Rowena Smith, ASM's Chief Operating Officer, has accepted the appointment of Chief Executive Officer. Ms Smith is a highly experienced global mining executive and has been ASM's Chief Operating Officer since July 2021. In her first year with ASM, Ms Smith led the Dubbo Project team, which included work for the optimisation study released in December 2021. She also led the construction and commissioning of the Korean Metals Plant. Ms Smith has almost 30 years of global mining experience in various senior roles including strategy, commercial, operations and ESG. Prior to joining ASM, Ms Smith was South32's Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President Supply, leading teams across Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, Colombia and the United States. She has also held roles with Rio Tinto and BHP for Nickel West, including as Head of Resource Planning & Development and Projects, Manager Strategy and Acquisitions, and General Manager Kwinana Nickel Refinery.