completed assignments

Keystone is a small business with a global network of clients and associates reflected in the examples of completed assignments outlined below. This enables it to provides an insightful, 'bespoke' and cost effective means to fulfil it's clients needs in terms of output, schedules and budget objectives.

Relevant Examples:

·      Advisory support in mining access negotiations between Traditional Owners and junior to mid-tier mining companies. This involves technical review of the development proposals and/or production reports and merging that with appropriate payment structures and commercial terms for a sustainable long-term engagement. 

Key outcomes - “sensible, aligned commercial structures, payments leveraged to the appropriate production and price metrics and expectation management”

·   Advisory support to financial institution developing a ~A$200 million debt refinancing strategy for an Australian listed mining company – a review of the technical results and challenges in terms of credit issues for a possible new facility.

Key outcomes – “for multiple production and development sites compiled a production summary and outlook incorporating technical challenges and sharing thoughts on mitigation strategies for likely credit risks; provided candid but not pessimistic insights”

·   Advisory support for offshore Government entity seeking to develop a critical minerals strategy which would stimulate public and private sector funding and investment into critical minerals exploration, project development and possible downstream initiatives.

Key outcomes – highlighted appropriate sources of funding for the risk profile of the specific opportunities and the respective position along the value chain relevant to that commodity in terms of meeting the overall objective of enhancing domestic critical minerals capabilities and independence.

·      Led International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) process in an expropriation dispute of an advanced Tantalum-Tin-Feldspar project against the Arab Republic of Egypt (Egypt) which included obtaining litigation funding and managing legal representation. In parallel, also ran a settlement negotiation process with Egypt which was ultimately successful resulting in a US$32 million settlement.

·      Australian representative for an international gold refining group - undertook a work-out strategy for a distressed, secured gold-loan facility to an Australian producer which significantly exceeded their asset realisation expectations.

·      Specialty metals and offshore development & financing (Executive Director roles of ASX listed companies)

ü  Tantalum & tin (Gippsland Ltd) – recast DFS, secured financing for major tantalum-tin-feldspar project in Egypt (2 years in role)

ü  Graphite & rare earth elements (REE) (Hexagon Ltd) – ‘upstream’ graphite development in Australia, negotiated joint venture deal with Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN), developed ‘downstream’ USA graphite & REE technology transactions which faded into the ‘Covid Winter’.

Supporting Professional Experience:

·      Discovery, development, financing & production, (founding Managing Director of ASX listed Bass Metals Ltd);

ü  Led transaction to buy and JV strategic tenements in Tasmania, IPO new Company and the subsequent acquisition of major ore processing facility

ü  Financed, built and operated a 5-year mining/processing operation with precious and base metal revenue streams from open pit and underground polymetallic ore sources discovered by the Company

ü  Established corporate culture, high staff retention and achieved strong ESG record including 3 years LTI free and strong environmental management record 

·   Corporate Finance (Resources ‘banker’ with NM Rothschild & Sons)

ü  Multiple project and corporate loan and hedging facilities for clients developing and acquiring mainly resources assets around the world. Specific experience in Australia, Africa, Brazil, PNG, and Indonesia with junior and mid-tier scale corporates.

·   Deep technical skills in exploration and mine geology (Homestake Gold, Dominion Mining & Consolidated Gold);