Category: General

First Bauxite LLC (FBX) announced Board and Senior Management changes to position the Company for long-term success, while focusing on fit for purpose integration opportunities and continuing to deliver for customers. These changes reflect the ongoing evolution of the business, its transforming needs, and the everchanging leadership requirements. These changes also mark an important step forward that enables FBX to build upon all the work and achievements of the past three years including the acquisition of US Ceramics and the commissioning of Guyana Industrial Minerals (GINMIN) operations. The focus of the Company is now on solidifying itself as a trusted supplier of proppants to the oil services industry, and refractory bauxite products globally.

Board Changes

FBX announced the following changes to the Board:

• Thibault van Stratum, Executive Chairman is no longer with the company effective February 23, 2023. Jasper Bertisen will temporarily assume the duties of Board Chairman.
• Martin Valdes, Director resigned effective February 23, 2023.
• Calum Semple appointed as a member of the Board effective February 23, 2023.
• Lee Graber, Director resigned effective February 15, 2023.
• David Coplet, Board Director and Vice President Strategy and Logistics left the company effective February 13, 2023.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to take this opportunity to appreciate the commitment and invaluable contributions made by each departing Director during their tenure with the Company and wish them the very best in future endeavours. Thibault van Stratum in particular was instrumental in expanding the operations at GINMIN and spearheading the USC acquisition.,” stated Jasper Bertisen, Interim-Chairman. “As I shared with our Board of Directors, it will continue to be my privilege to serve with them as we focus on business integration and optimization and ensure continued momentum.”

Management Changes

FBX is pleased to welcome Nathan Wollenburg as the Company’s new Vice President of Sales and Marketing, effective March 6, 2023. Mr. Wollenburg has over 12 years of experience with Vibrantz Technologies (formerly Prince International Corporation) where he was most recently the Sales Director. Earlier in his career he held account executive positions with Foseco Metallurgical and Wedron Flux/Black Lab Corp. He comes to FBX with extensive experience in sales, marketing, business development, and a demonstrated ability to drive product and market growth through technical and commercial development.

John Karson will remain a senior member of the Company’s sales team for an anticipated period of one to two years. During this time, Mr. Karson’s focus will be on successful leadership transition of the sales function and growth of refractory bauxite products. “Mr. Karson joined First Bauxite in 2019 and has been an instrumental contributor to the Company’s success and evolution thus far and we are pleased to have his ongoing involvement during this time of leadership change,” stated Jasper Bertisen, InterimChairman.

FBX also announced it will now commence the process of identifying and appointing a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). To ensure a smooth transition to the new leadership, Calum Semple, Operating Executive from the Company’s majority owner, Resource Capital Funds, will provide executive oversight until such time the new CEO is appointed.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Guyana Industrial Mineral Inc (GINMIN) to establish a new water supply system in Sand Hills, Guyana. The investment is in keeping with GWI’s strategic plan to provide 100 per cent potable water access Guyana by 2025. GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, pointed out that this collaboration forms part of the utility’s key mandate to provide potable water access to riverine communities and that partnerships with stakeholders such as GINMIN, as well as communities, are important. Baksh commended GINMIN, who will be funding the project, noting that Government is appreciative of such interventions which help to bolster communities.

Read the Guyana Chronicle article.

Eric Joined First Bauxite in October as the Vice President Technical Integration. As the person responsible for driving First Bauxite’s product strategy and road map, he will collaborate and partner with the Marketing & Sales Operations and R&D Teams to help prioritize and scale product development in order to meet best customer’s requirements. Eric will also work closely with the Operations teams to provide strategic oversight of technology and process driven choices as well as quality management. Eric will be working remotely and travelling to USC and GinMin sites as required.

Eric has extensive experience in kaolin operations, process engineering, technical management & sales and innovation development. He comes to First Bauxite from Covia Corporate where he was Senior Director Innovations for over 4 years. Prior to that he held the Executive Technical Manager position at Sibelco Asia where, during his 17 year tenure, he established 10 technical centres throughout Asia and North America and oversaw exploration

When not at work, Eric can be found spending time with family – his wife and two daughters – or travelling on one of his many motorcycles.