• International mining executive with 45 years of experience in mine development and operations
• Operated Zambia’s only dedicated cobalt processing facility after being involved in design and construction of the plant
• M+A track record as CEO includes growing a company from microcap to a USD $2.5 billion dollar sale in two years

Since announcing acquisition plans for a fully developed nickel-cobalt mine in southern Europe, European Electric Metals Inc. (TSX.V: EVX) (OTC: EVXXF) has attracted a lot of attention from those involved in electrification metals.

EVX is unique amongst its peer group as their Skroska project is not a geological concept nor an exploration play, but an existing mine with excellent infrastructure to support a targeted restart.

There is electricity throughout the mine and the track system and air compression systems are in good working order. There is no water issue and the mine is well ventilated with no mechanized ventilation system in place. There are no rockfalls in any areas of the mine. The mine is serviced via hydro-electric power (the mine is on the power grid) and has paved road access nearby the property area, with well-maintained gravel roads to the site.

Also unique is the fact that the major shareholder of the company is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international bank owned by 69 countries.

Now, EVX has announced the appointment of a well-known leader in electrification metals, Mr. Ian Stalker.

Mr. Stalker is an international mining executive with 45 years of experience in mine development and operations in Europe, Africa, and Australia. Mr. Stalker was the Chief Executive Officer of UraMin Inc., a London-listed and Toronto-listed uranium company, from July, 2005, until its $2.5 billion acquisition by Areva in August, 2007.

Mr. Stalker was a vice-president of Gold Fields Ltd., the world's fourth-largest gold producer, where he spent considerable time on the ground on its international operations. Mr. Stalker has held executive positions in some of the largest mining companies in the world and has successfully managed eight mining projects through feasibility study, development, and construction phases.

Mr. Stalker has significant cobalt experience gained during his time on the Zambian Copperbelt from 1973 to 1987. Mr. Stalker operated the country's only dedicated cobalt process plant and was involved in the design and construction of the plant, which is still in operation. Additionally, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Luanshya Mine from 1999–2000, after its 1997 privatization, where the bulk of the cobalt production from the Copperbelt was centered.

Mr. Stalker’s current roles include Chairman of Plateau Energy Metals, Chief Executive Officer of LSC Lithium, and Director of K92 Mining Inc.

Mr. Fred Tejada, EVX Chief Executive Officer, states, “Ian not only has a track record of success at starting and re-starting mining operations, but his experience is unique in that it includes significant operational expertise in cobalt mining and processing. Our Skroska Nickel-Cobalt Mine is a fully developed mine with excellent underground infrastructure, development, and equipment and we are targeting a restart of operations. Ian will be a big asset as we push forward aggressively with these plans.”

EVX is moving quickly at Skroska and it will be interesting to watch the company’s progress in the week’s ahead. The company trades under the symbol EVX on the TSX Venture and EVXXF in the United States.