TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals Corp, which is developing the K.Hill battery-grade manganese project, in Botswana, has appointed Gavin Horscroft operations manager and Sean Thijsse corporate development VP.

Horscroft brings a wealth of relevant experience with a proven record of 40 years in the African mining, metallurgical and minerals processing industries.

He has worked as projects director across a number of base metal projects in Africa, including operations experience with Impala Platinum and, more recently, at AngloGold Ashanti, where he was senior VP for its Democratic Republic of Congo projects and responsible for the management of all their in-country exploration and project activities.

As a chemical engineer, Horscroft has a strong technical background in base and precious metals processing and hydrometallurgy, as well as designing and supporting complex process flowsheet development through extensive lab-scale and pilot plant programme management. His extensive experience will be invaluable as Giyani progresses its demo plant through the final stages of commissioning and commercial plant construction.

Thijsse, meanwhile, joined Giyani in January this year as head of corporate development, from The Pallinghurst Group, a private equity firm. He is an experienced investment professional with a strong record in sustainable energy transition materials.

He brings extensive experience in corporate finance, project evaluations and implementation, capital raising, and project financing. Since joining Giyani, he has leveraged his skillset to spearhead Giyani’s offtake strategy and ongoing engagement with strategic funding partners, Giyani states.

“I am delighted to welcome Gavin Horscroft as operations manager. His extensive experience and impressive record align perfectly with the needs of the K.Hill project and will be a major asset as we optimise the demo plant, progress and finalise the definitive feasibility study and move toward construction of the commercial plant," comments Giyani president and CEO Charles FitzRoy.

He adds that Thijsse has, since joining Giyani, proven to be a valuable asset, driving and supporting its engagement with potential funding partners.

"His appointment as corporate development VP is a timely and fitting appointment as Giyani ramps up these efforts following first production of battery-grade manganese from the demo plant in Johannesburg.

"These appointments reflect Giyani’s ongoing transformation as we continue to make significant strides in achieving major milestones and move meaningfully towards commercial production. I look forward to sharing further updates in due course,” FitzRoy says.