Key Management
Executive Committee
BRYCE CROCKER - Chief Executive Officer / Executive Director
Mr Crocker is a seasoned mining and natural resources executive with significant experience in base metals including cobalt. Mr Crocker joined Xstrata plc shortly after its IPO in mid 2002, was based in London in business development roles until 2006, upon when he transitioned to Canada following the acquisition of Falconbridge and establishment of Xstrata Nickel headquarters in Toronto. His past nickel/cobalt roles at Xstrata plc’s nickel division include VP and Head Strategy, Marketing and Research, and GM and Head Business Development. Mr Crocker was a Director on the Xstrata Nickel Board, an Xstrata nominee Director to the Nickel Institute Board (global body representing the industry) and an Xstrata nominee to the Kabanga Shareholder Advisory Committee.
Following the sale of Xstrata to Glencore in 2013, Mr Crocker was based in Latin America focused on natural resource investments in the region. Mr Crocker holds an LLB (Honours) and BSc from the University of Melbourne and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Australian Securities Institute.
JAMES MAY - Chief Financial Officer / Executive General Manager - Finance
Mr May joins Jervois with more than 20 years of experience in the global resources industry. He began his career with Deloitte in London within its energy and resources division, before joining Rio Tinto in 2006.
At Rio Tinto, Mr May spent time in a variety of global positions of increasing seniority, culminating in the role of Interim Vice President – Sales and Marketing, for the Energy and Minerals sales portfolio, based in Singapore. The role is responsible for commodity sales generating more than US$2 billion of revenue annually. Mr May was also responsible for new business initiatives and marketing projects for the portfolio, including the evaluation of commercial opportunities in lithium and other battery metals.
Prior to moving to Singapore in 2018, Mr May spent four years in Darwin as Chief Financial Officer of Energy Resources of Australia Limited, an ASX-listed uranium miner majority owned by Rio Tinto. In this role he was responsible for leadership of all finance, commercial, business development and governance activities.
Mr May also spent time in corporate roles with Rio Tinto as part of the group business development team focused on corporate strategy, M&A and related projects, and in roles with group finance.
KENNETH KLASSEN - General Counsel / Executive General Manager - Legal
Prior to his appointment at Jervois, Mr Klassen’s last executive role was as General Counsel of Glencore plc, based in Baar Switzerland, retiring in 2016. Mr Klassen was responsible for the global legal function including a team of in-house lawyers supporting Executive Management, business operations and the Board of one of the world’s largest diversified natural resource companies, and a major producer and marketer of more than 90 commodities worldwide, with around 150 mining and metallurgical sites, oil production assets and agricultural facilities.
Prior to joining Glencore in 2013, Mr Klassen had a successful 20-year career as a Canadian M&A lawyer at leading Canadian law firms. Mr Klassen first began working with current members of the Jervois Board in 2005, advising Xstrata plc on its C$23.8 billion hostile acquisition of Falconbridge and later on its C$6.2 billion offer for LionOre Mining. Mr. Klassen has advised on numerous mining and commodities deals including Glencore’s acquisitions of Viterra, the leading Canadian grain handler, for C$6.2 billion and a controlling interest in Katanga Mining, a leading copper-cobalt producer, and BHP Billiton’s acquisition of Anglo Potash whose project evolved into BHP’s Jansen potash project.
WAYDE YEOMAN - Executive General Manager - Commercial
Mr Yeoman joins Jervois with more than 30 years of experience in the global cobalt industry. He began his career with The Shepherd Chemical Company (“Shepherd”), a manufacturer of metal-based chemicals, including many cobalt products. Shepherd remains one of the largest consumers of cobalt in the United States. At Shepherd, he progressed through various positions in production, purchasing and sales.
Over the course of his career, Mr Yeoman also worked for global cobalt merchants Metal Resources Group and Darton Commodities, where he had responsibility for sales of cobalt metal to major consumers in the United States.
Mr Yeoman also spent 14 years in multiple roles at OM Group, Inc (“OMG”). OMG was the world’s largest cobalt refiner at the time, with more than 10,000 metric tonnes of refined cobalt output annually from the Kokkola facility in Finland. Kokkola’s production included cobalt metal powder, cobalt fine powders, cobalt oxide and other salts for use in the battery, hard metal, catalyst and other industries.
As Director of Cobalt Sourcing and Marketing at OMG, Mr Yeoman was active across the global cobalt supply chain. He was responsible for purchasing cobalt feedstocks for the Kokkola cobalt refinery, as well as cobalt metal raw materials for OMG’s carboxylate production facilities. As a member of OMG’s Cobalt Management executive team, he was involved with strategic decisions regarding refining volumes, product mix and pricing strategies.
SAMI KALLIOINEN - President and Managing Director - Jervois Finland
Mr Kallioinen is the President and Managing Director of Jervois Finland. Mr Kallioinen has, since 1998, worked in various senior finance director roles and M&A projects. Mr Kallioinen started as finance manager and, in 2007, took the role of controller for the Cobalt Business Unit (which is now Jervois Finland). From 2008 to 2010, Mr Kallioinen was on assignment in Cleveland, USA, and was promoted to President of what is now Jervois Finland in 2019. He holds master’s degree of science in Economics and Business Administration and prior to joining cobalt industry worked in investment banking.
CARLOS BRAGA - President and EGM - Jervois Brasil
Mr Braga joined Jervois from Brazilian private fertilizer group, Morro Verde Fertilizer, where he was Chief Executive Officer since 2021 and successfully transitioned the company into operation, selling phosrock into the Brazilian domestic market. Prior to Morro Verde Fertilizer, Mr. Braga spent three years at McKinsey in São Paulo where he advised clients on operational transformation and optimization across a range of industries including fertilizers, rare earths and base metals.
Earlier roles include Chief Operating Officer and Country Manager for Meridian Mining, a manganese operation in Brazil owned by the private equity firm Sentinent Group, from 2015 to 2018; Vice President Operations for MbAC Fertilizer from 2009 to 2014, where he led the US$350 million construction and start-up of the Itafos Arraias fertilizer project in Tocantins state. The Itafos Arraias project construction had a 2,500 labour force at its peak; Mr. Braga also coordinated lender due diligence for the US$114 million project finance facility with International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), BNDES, Itaú and WestLB. He was also a Senior Associate at AT Kearney in São Paulo from 2007 to 2009. From 2003 to 2007 he spent four years as Strategic Planning Manager of the Zinc Division at Votorantim Metais, part of the Votorantim Group.
Mr. Braga has previous experience with Jervois’ SMP refinery, when early in his career in 2001, he collaborated in the implementation of a US$20 million expansion through his role at the engineering firm Progen.
Mr. Braga is a graduate of São Paulo University with an MBA from Cornell University in the United States.
MATTHEW LENGERICH - Executive General Manager - Mining
Mr Lengerich joined Jervois from global miner Rio Tinto, where he has spent more than 20 years in a range of roles, with his last position as General Manager – Digital Transformation, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Over the past four years, Mr Lengerich has been a key leader of Rio Tinto’s efforts to advance its capacity in artificial intelligence, data analytics and mine productivity across its global operating sites.
Prior to these specialised mining technology roles, as General Manager of Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s integrated operations centre in Perth, Australia, Mr Lengerich had responsibility for 450 staff in central control, executing dynamic scheduling and maintaining the production systems associated with the delivery of 320Mtpa of iron ore from Western Australia. This product was sourced from 15 mines, and transported through 1,700km of rail network and four independent ports, by the remote operating team.
Corporate Management
ALWYN DAVEY - Group Manager Corporate & Company Secretary
Mr Davey was appointed Company Secretary on 12 April 2017. Mr Davey has more than 18 years’ experience as Company Secretary in relation to corporate governance, new stock market listings, secondary fundraising, and cross border mergers, acquisitions and investments. Mr Davey was formerly a member of the executive committee of Cambrian Mining Plc, a diversified mining group listed in London. He was a Non-Executive Director of Energybuild Group Plc, a UK listed coal company.
Mr Davey’s primary responsibility is to support the Board in its corporate governance and administrative compliance of the Company with ASIC and the ASX Listing Rules, a role he has undertaken for several other ASX-listed entities.
Mr Davey holds an LLB degree from Waikato University, NZ.
DR JENNIFER HINTON - Group Manager ESG
Dr Hinton has almost two decades of experience working with companies, governments, communities and miners in 20 countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Her expertise ranges from capacity building of mining stakeholders to gender dimensions of mining policy and law to sustainable artisanal and small scale mining. Clients have included the World Bank, USAID, Global Affairs Canada, GiZ, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SDC and a range of other governments, UN agencies, companies and organizations. In addition to her current position with Jervois, Hinton is an Adjunct Professor in the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University. Hinton holds a B.A.Sc. (Geol. Eng), M.A.Sc. (Mining and Mineral Process Eng.) and PhD (Mining Eng.) from the University of British Columbia in Canada.
CRAIG MORRISON - Group Manager Finance
Mr Morrison is currently Group Financial Controller for an Australian agriculture business with revenues approaching A$200 million, where he oversees all finance and accounting operations. Previously, Mr Morrison was Group Financial Reporting Manager based in London, United Kingdom, for a NASDAQ-listed LNG midstream infrastructure company with a market capitalization of approximately US$1 billion. Mr Morrison will also be based in Melbourne, Australia.
LOUIS MARTIN - Group Manager - Taxation
Mr Martin has than 30 years of experience in taxation, commencing his career in professional practice with Deloitte and subsequently Ernst & Young. It was at Ernst & Young as a Senior Manager where Mr. Martin first worked with the current Jervois executive team, advising Xstrata plc (“Xstrata”) on the acquisition of the Canadian base metal company, Falconbridge Limited (“Falconbridge”). Upon the consummation of the acquisition in 2006, he was hired into Xstrata as Vice President of Taxation, and oversaw the restructuring and integration of Falconbridge’s global operations. Following the subsequent acquisition of Xstrata by his most recent employer, Glencore plc (“Glencore”), in 2013, Mr. Martin moved to Baar, Switzerland, as Global Head of Taxation for the copper division, with responsibility for both operating assets and trading activities
ALICIA BROWN – Group Manager – External Affairs
Ms Brown joined Jervois with more than 25 years of experience, including three years with the Australian Government Department of Defence based in Canberra, and 12 years in leadership roles at global mining company MMG Ltd (“MMG”). At MMG, Ms. Brown was responsible for leading acquisition and divestment transactions, including management of all key stakeholder relationships and associated regulatory approvals. Prior to her role leading merger and acquisition projects, Ms. Brown spearheaded strategic studies and political risk analysis for MMG and its predecessor companies in Australia.
Jervois Brasil
CARLOS BRAGA - President and EGM
Mr Braga joined Jervois from Brazilian private fertilizer group, Morro Verde Fertilizer, where he was Chief Executive Officer since 2021 and successfully transitioned the company into operation, selling phosrock into the Brazilian domestic market. Prior to Morro Verde Fertilizer, Mr. Braga spent three years at McKinsey in São Paulo where he advised clients on operational transformation and optimization across a range of industries including fertilizers, rare earths and base metals.
Earlier roles include Chief Operating Officer and Country Manager for Meridian Mining, a manganese operation in Brazil owned by the private equity firm Sentinent Group, from 2015 to 2018; Vice President Operations for MbAC Fertilizer from 2009 to 2014, where he led the US$350 million construction and start-up of the Itafos Arraias fertilizer project in Tocantins state. The Itafos Arraias project construction had a 2,500 labour force at its peak; Mr. Braga also coordinated lender due diligence for the US$114 million project finance facility with International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), BNDES, Itaú and WestLB. He was also a Senior Associate at AT Kearney in São Paulo from 2007 to 2009. From 2003 to 2007 he spent four years as Strategic Planning Manager of the Zinc Division at Votorantim Metais, part of the Votorantim Group.
Mr. Braga has previous experience with Jervois’ SMP refinery, when early in his career in 2001, he collaborated in the implementation of a US$20 million expansion through his role at the engineering firm Progen.
Mr. Braga is a graduate of São Paulo University with an MBA from Cornell University in the United States.
Jervois USA
MATTHEW LENGERICH - Executive General Manager - Mining
Mr Lengerich joined Jervois from global miner Rio Tinto, where he has spent more than 20 years in a range of roles, with his last position as General Manager – Digital Transformation, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Over the past four years, Mr Lengerich has been a key leader of Rio Tinto’s efforts to advance its capacity in artificial intelligence, data analytics and mine productivity across its global operating sites.
Prior to these specialised mining technology roles, as General Manager of Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s integrated operations centre in Perth, Australia, Mr Lengerich had responsibility for 450 staff in central control, executing dynamic scheduling and maintaining the production systems associated with the delivery of 320Mtpa of iron ore from Western Australia. This product was sourced from 15 mines, and transported through 1,700km of rail network and four independent ports, by the remote operating team.
Jervois Finland
SAMI KALLIONEN - President & Managing Director
Mr Kallionen is the President and Managing Director of Jervois Finland. Sami has worked for the company since 1998. He started as Accounting Manager and in 2010 took the role of Controller. From 2008 to 2010 Sami was on assignment in USA, Cleveland. Sami has a Master’s Degree of Science in Economics and Business Administration.
LAURI KOKKO - Production and Maintenance Director
Mr Kokko joined Jervois Finland in 2023, coming from Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta. He has over 25 years of experience in production, maintenance, and projects within the nickel and cobalt chemical process industry as well as raw materials procurement and research and development (R&D). Lauri holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering,
THOMAS SLOTTE - Director of Plant Support & Administration
Mr Slotte is the Director of Plant Support and Administration. Thomas has been in the company since 2007 holding first the role of Product Stewardship Manager. In 2009 he became the Director of Plant Support and Administration.
Thomas has Doctor’s Degree of Philosophy and Education in Chemistry.
JUHA JÄRVI - Technical Director
Mr Järvi is the Technical Director. He started as Development Manager in 1996. In 2001 Juha became Production Manager, in 2011 he held the position of Project Manager and in 2016 he took the role of Technology Director. Juha was on assignment in USA, Cleveland on 2000-2001 and in China, Shanghai from 2016 to 2018. Juha has Master’s Degree of Science in Technology.
PETRI MÄKINEN – Chief Financial Officer
Mr Mäkinen has experience across business and financial controls including budgeting, management reporting, forecasting, financial accounting, internal/external audits, tax, CAPEX management, pricing, cash flow and productivity improvements. He has 20+ years of international experience across Europe, North America, China and India including 10 years with Nokia’s US operations and prior to joining Jervois as Chief Financial Officer of VEO Group.
PIA LEHTONEN - Controller in Finance
Ms Lehtonen is the Controller in Finance. She joined the company in 1994 working first as Purchaser. In 2003 she moved to financial department and have a strong history in different financial positions. Pia has a Master’s Degree of Science in Economics and Business Administration.
JEFF BLAZEK - Global Business Manager for Powder Metallurgy
Mr Blazek is the Global Business Manager for Powder Metallurgy and manages all sales and administration for both the Americas and Japan. Jeff has worked for the company since 2000. He started as the Business Manager for Asia Pacific until 2002. In 2002 to the present took various roles of Global Business Manager for Battery Materials, Copper Cathodes and Sulfate and Powder Metallurgy. Jeff has had brief assignments in Asia and Europe. Jeff has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree in International Marketing.
MIKE LACIS - Global Business Manager for Cobalt Chemicals
Mr Lacis is the Global Business Manager responsible for marketing and sales of Freeport’s Cobalt Chemicals into the Chemicals, Catalysts and Ceramic Pigments industries. Mike has been employed with the Company since 1993. Before moving into the Cobalt industry, Mike held various technical and sales positions with Dow and Johnson Matthey Chemicals. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Chemistry and a Master of Business Administration Degree.