Dr Louis W. Schürmann, a competent and experienced exploration geologist and project manager (+30 years), was one of the moving spirits behind Platreef Resources (Pty) Ltd, Ivanhoe Nickel & Platinum (SA) Ltd (of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd) and Rhino Plat (Pty) Ltd. He also set the agenda for the restructuring of junior exploration companies in South Africa, Zambia and the DRC. Seasoned, energetic and active with excellent operations management experience, he is an astute researcher and explorationist on ultramafic to mafic layered intrusions (i.e. the Bushveld
Complex) with special reference to Platinum Group Metals, chromite and magnetite (i.e. Fe, V and Ti), and alkaline rocks and carbonatites with reference to Rare-earth elements and associated industrial minerals (apatite, magnetite, fluorite, Nb, Ta, Zr, Th, etc).
Louis has been the vanguard of several operations and discoveries, creating and enabling environments for investment.
His career has been hallmarked with achieving results and goals and is respected for integrity , instilling teams with confidence and demonstrating cultural sensitivity
in a multicultural environment. He is known for excellent communication, people skills and team and project management with a hands-on approach and high work ethic within a team environment.
Louis believes that by applying geological science to “undeveloped regions” in the world, the newly discovered commodity-driven projects act as “dynamos” which in turn enhance socio-economic conditions with sustainable solutions.
Gerrit Fouche has 20 years of experience in setting up managing geological laboratories in Africa. He has vast experience in all logistics involved from designing, planing and drawing up of procedures to maintaining and managing mobile preparation of both commercial and onsite laboratories in Zambia, DRC, South Africa, Namibia, Gabon, CRC and Mauritania. He was instrumental in all logistics from transporting equipment to site and sending pulp samples to various testing facilities. He has been involved in writing SANAS approved ISO 17025
procedures and methods for mobile, commercial and onsite facilities. Training of staff on procedures and methods and operating in these remote areas with an aim to run the laboratories according to ISO accreditation standards all whilst providing top quality data says a lot for the man.
Gerrit has an in-depth understanding of all preparation techniques and analytical procedures as well as the science of inserting QAQC checks and monitoring for quality data. He was also involved in implementing
quality systems for ISO 17025 was well as SHEQ.
Dr Rademeyer is a world-renowned Geochemistry laboratory Managing Director, having built and managed Set Point Laboratories (Pty) Ltd in South Africa. The level of experience and expertise ranges from the analysis of precious metals, base metals and water. Techniques include XRF, ICP and ICP-MS, Fire Assay, solution chemistry techniques amongst others. In Australia he managed the Bureau Veritas Analytical Chemistry laboratories in Mount Isa during 2012 and 2013. Dr Rademeyer is a past Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Johan has +20 years’ experience as an Industrial Mineral geologist consulting to and assisting Industrial Minerals Exploration and mining companies. He specialises in searching, characterising and beneficiation of industrial mineral ores and deposits in terms of their chemical, mineralogical, physical and industrial application properties. During his career at the Council for Geoscience, his experience was focused on industrial-mineral deposit targeting and applied industrial mineral research projects in which mineral
application in industry is optimized. These applied research projects primarily focused on problem identification and solving in the beneficiation and use of industrial minerals.
He has developed knowledge in Industrial minerals that are used in the ceramic, glass, absorbents, carrier, filler, agricultural, refractory, filtration and environmental impact control, construction and cements industries. As principal of IMC Industrial Minerals Concult CC, Johan Horn is renouned in the industry for his applied research
and prospectivity studies of industrial mineral occurrences and deposits.
Danying Chu has been involved in developing and managing businesses for over 20 years.
After her graduation from Beijing International Studies University, she studied Financial Services Management at the University of Surrey. She then worked in the center of Sino-British co-operation for high level Government liaison and business projects, representing
British and Chinese companies. Danying introduced European companies to enter the Chinese
market. In addition, she supported Chinese companies in raising capital to establish their businesses in the UK and to float on various stock exchanges. With her business oriented mindset, exceptional service attitude, intercultural competence and her vast network in the UK, Europe, in China and many other countries around the world, she has established and maintained successful international cooperation with projects from a wide array of
industries. In the last 10 years she followed her passion for geology and gained extensive experience by introducing multinational Chinese companies to mining projects in various countries. When it comes to sustainable mining projects, Danying has facilitated relationships for international business leaders, investors, scientists, Government representatives and other important stakeholders to jointly create value.