Toronto, ON., Canada - April 30, 2010, Toronto, ON., Canada - Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation announces the appointment of Gary Fietz, Ron Simkus and Daniella Dimitrov as new directors as well as the appointment of Ms. Dimitrov as Vice-Chair of the Company.
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Gary Fietz has more than 22 years extensive international experience in all aspects of exploration, mining, business development and project evaluation. Mr. Fietz was recently appointed to the position of Managing Director(i) of New Age Exploration Limited, a junior Australian company.
From 2000 to 2009, Mr. Fietz held various positions with BHP Billiton Limited, including as Vice President, Business Development for Iron Ore, in which he gained valuable insight into the global iron ore markets and projects. Among various responsibilities at BHP, Mr. Fietz directed the business development activities for BHP, Iron Ore in India and West Africa and led a concept study for the multi-billion dollar Nimba iron ore project in Guinea.
From 1987 to 2000, Mr. Fietz held various geological, technology support, strategy, project evaluation and business development positions with BHP Long Products, Whyalla Steelworks.
Mr. Fietz obtained his Bachelor of Science (Geology) from the University of Adelaide, his Honours (Structural Geology) from the South Australian Institute of Technology and was a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Ron Simkus has more than 30 years experience in the international mining industry, with extensive knowledge in base metal ore processing technology and in the management of skilled operations, maintenance and engineering personnel. Mr. Simkus was Senior Vice-President, Mining for Corriente Resources Inc. from February 2004 to June 2006.
From June 2001 to July 2003, Mr. Simkus was the President and CEO of Compania Minera Antamina S.A. in Peru where he oversaw the commissioning of the Antamina deposit and the successful transition of one of the world's largest copper mining construction projects from a project to a sustainable mining operation.
Before joining Antamina, Mr. Simkus was President and General Manager of Highland Valley Copper and has also held positions at the Polaris Mine which was located north of the Arctic Circle and the Red Dog Mine located in Alaska.
Mr. Simkus obtained his Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (mining engineering/mineral processing option) from the University of Toronto and is a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Mr. Simkus is also a director of Gabriel Resources Ltd. and has previously served as director of Eurozinc Mining Corporation and Skye Resources Ltd.
Daniella Dimitrov has more than 16 years of broad commercial and operational experience in senior executive roles with major international companies. Ms. Dimitrov has held principal roles in mergers, acquisitions, financings, corporate finance and joint ventures. She has also been responsible for major operating divisions including information technology and project management/development and the integration of multiple acquired businesses.
Ms. Dimitrov has held various consulting roles in the mining industry since 2009 including with the Company. Ms. Dimitrov's former positions include Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives of Raymond James Ltd., Chief Operating Officer of Dundee Securities and Dundee Private Investors, General Counsel for the Dundee group of companies and counsel at a national law firm.
Ms. Dimitrov has served as a director or member of various financial services regulatory organizations and committees including the Industry Representative on the Board of the Investment Industry Association of Canada and director of Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments. Ms. Dimitrov has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor. ■