LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - Jan. 12, 2015) - African Copper Plc ("African Copper" or "the Company") (AIM:ACU)(BOTSWANA:AFRICAN COPPER) announces the appointment of Roy Corrans, currently a Non-executive Director of African Copper, as Non-executive Chairman of the Company in succession to David Rodier who is retiring from the Board with effect from 12 January 2015.
The Company also announces the appointment of Mr. Boikobo Paya as an additional Non-executive Director with immediate effect. Boikobo Paya (50 years of age), a Botswana national, was the Permanent Secretary in the Botswana Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources from October 2010 to August 2014. Mr. Paya was the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the same ministry, responsible for the water and energy sectors, a post he held from October 2008.
Mr. Paya's prior experience in government positions included Project Manager, Mmamabula Coordinating Unit, under the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources and Director of the Department of Water Affairs, which included responsibility for two major wetlands: the Okavango Delta and the Kwando-Linyanti Delta. Mr. Paya holds a BSc and an MPhil in geology and has extensive research experience.
Commenting on the changes, Roy Corrans, Chairman, said, "On behalf of the Board, I'd like to thank David Rodier for his very hard work and dedication to African Copper in Botswana over the last five years. We wish him a long and happy retirement."
"I am delighted to welcome Boikobo Paya to the Board and am sure his long experience in government in Botswana will translate into valuable contributions to the Board's deliberations."
Mr. Paya has served in various boards and associations including serving as commissioner in the Limpopo Commission, Orange - Senqu Commission, Zambezi Commission and the Okavango Commission.
Boikobo Paya is currently Head of Research at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST). He is also a Non-Executive Director of Debswana, Chairman of Diamond Trading Company Botswana (both joint ventures between De Beers and the Botswanan Government), a Non-Executive Director of De Beers and a Director of BBKR Productions (Pty) Ltd. In addition, Mr. Paya is a member of the administrative boards of DB Investments SA, Debswana Investments SA and De Beers SA.
Mr. Paya's previous directorships, which he has held within the last five years, are as follows:
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Botswana Geoscience Association
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Performance Improvement Coordinator Forum
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Water Utilities Corporation
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Limpopo Commission
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Orange-Senqu Commission
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Water Apportionment Board
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Botswana Power Corporation
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For further information please visit www.africancopper.com.
Notes to Editors:
African Copper is an AIM and Botswana listed copper producer and exploration company, currently focused on Botswana. The Company's flagship project is the copper producing open pit Mowana Mine. African Copper also owns the rights to the adjacent Thakadu-Makala deposit. Both deposits are situated on the highly prospective Matsitama belt, located close to Botswana's second largest city, Francistown, in the north-eastern part of the country.