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Dan Lougher

The Gwalia mine is one of the Leonora district’s most iconic but has
struggled in recent years

“The first step towards achieving our new vision was made in his initial assessment, saying at Atlantic the focus was on
in July 2022 when we announced a takeover bid for Dacian obtaining key permits, while at Simberi plans wouldn’t be
Gold. The natural pairing of Genesis’ organic growth and cemented until a strategic review was complete.
high-grade Ulysses project with Dacian’s large-scale mill and If Lougher is successful in changing fortunes at Gwalia – the
exploration upside makes compelling strategic sense. operation produced 34,078oz gold at $2,487/oz AISC in the
“There is high investor appetite for sensible regional September quarter – the company could be willing to deal.
consolidation, and the world-class Leonora/Laverton district “There are potential synergies through sensible consolidation,”
is a natural fit for our company.” St Barbara chairman Tim Netscher said at the company’s
Further disruption came, however, in November when St AGM in October. “St Barbara has a commanding mineral
Barbara disposed of chief executive Craig Jetson in favour of endowment in the region, but with limited processing capacity.
former Western Areas managing director Lougher. On the other hand, others in the region have large processing
Lougher, an underground mining specialist, has been given a capacity with lower mineral endowment. Marrying the two is
simple remit – turn performance at Gwalia around and find the a capital efficient option compared to St Barbara building the
best value solution for both Simberi and Atlantic. capacity, especially in the current inflationary environment.”
In his opening remarks, Lougher was forthright about the The Leonora situation remains delicately poised between the
challenge in front of him, saying his immediate focus would be ambitious and upwardly mobile Genesis desperate to trade
on operational performance at Gwalia and the development of its way into processing capacity and damaged miners Dacian
St Barbara’s “ample” Leonora regional gold ounces. and St Barbara eager to turn around their fortunes to avoid
selling out too cheaply.
On the company’s other assets, Lougher was more pragmatic

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