Our team
World class operating and advisery team, driving Empire Metals’ development
The Board currently comprises the Non-Executive Chairman, two Executive Directors and two Non-Executive Directors.
Board
Shaun Bunn - Managing Director
Shaun Bunn - Managing Director
Shaun is a metallurgist based in Perth WA, with over 35 years’ experience in exploration, mining, processing and project development. Shaun has built a successful track record managing mining projects through all stages of development, from grass roots exploration, feasibility studies, financing, construction, commissioning and operations. Previously Senior VP Projects with Hummingbird Resources plc.
Gregory Kuenzel - Finance Director
Gregory Kuenzel - Finance Director
Greg holds a Bachelor of Business Degree and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Greg has many years of experience in providing accounting and corporate advice in a diverse range of industry sectors across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments. After starting his career in Audit & Corporate Services for Horwath Chartered Accountants in Perth (now BDO), in 2003 he relocated to the UK where for the past 20 years he has worked with both listed and private companies at senior management and board level, providing advice on structuring, listings, transactions as well as general corporate and financial consulting services.
Neil O’Brien - Non-Executive Chairman
Neil O’Brien - Non-Executive Chairman
Neil is a Ph.D. Economic geologist & mining executive with over 35 years of international experience covering six continents in all stages of exploration and development, project evaluation and strategic corporate development. Retired in 2018 from Lundin Mining as SVP Exploration & New Business Development. Non-executive Director of TSXV listed companies including NGEx Minerals.
Peter Damouni - Non-Executive Director
Peter Damouni - Non-Executive Director
Peter brings over 20 years of corporate and investment banking experience focussed in Natural Resources. He served as an Executive Officer and Director for a number of private and public companies listed on the TSX, TSXV, and LSE where he has played a key role key role in developing and executing corporate strategies, equity and debt financings, managing restructurings, and completing acquisitions and sales processes which have significantly enhanced shareholder value.
Phil Brumit - Non-Executive Director
Phil Brumit - Non-Executive Director
Phil brings over 40 years of experience in engineering, project management, and mining operations across leading companies in the natural resources sector. He has held senior leadership roles at Freeport-McMoRan, Lundin Mining, and Newmont Corporation, where he drove operational success and delivered major projects globally. Phil’s career includes positions such as Executive VP Projects & Operations at Josemaria Resources, President and Managing Director of Minera Candelaria (Lundin Mining) in Chile, and President of Freeport-McMoRan’s African Division focused on the Tenke-Fungurume copper-cobalt mine.
Management
Shaun Bunn - Managing Director
Shaun Bunn - Managing Director
Shaun is a metallurgist based in Perth WA, with over 35 years’ experience in exploration, mining, processing and project development. Shaun has built a successful track record managing mining projects through all stages of development, from grass roots exploration, feasibility studies, financing, construction, commissioning and operations. Previously Senior VP Projects with Hummingbird Resources plc.
Gregory Kuenzel - Finance Director
Gregory Kuenzel - Finance Director
Greg holds a Bachelor of Business Degree and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Greg has many years of experience in providing accounting and corporate advice in a diverse range of industry sectors across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments. After starting his career in Audit & Corporate Services for Horwath Chartered Accountants in Perth (now BDO), in 2003 he relocated to the UK where for the past 20 years he has worked with both listed and private companies at senior management and board level, providing advice on structuring, listings, transactions as well as general corporate and financial consulting services.
Andrew Faragher - Exploration Manager
Andrew Faragher - Exploration Manager
Andrew is an exploration geologist with over 25 years’ experience working across multiple commodities. Employed by Rio Tinto as Chief Geologist – Iron Ore and Bauxite (2018-2021) and as Exploration Manager-Canada (2014-2018). Led the team which discovered >5Bt of iron ore in the Pilbara, along with building and developing successful exploration teams in Australia and Canada.
Narelle Marriott - Process Development Manager
Narelle Marriott - Process Development Manager
Narelle is a talented metallurgist with over 20 years’ experience working across multiple commodities. Previously a Senior Process Engineer at BHP’s Perth Technology Centre, Narelle has managed all aspects of process development, including orebody assessments, pilot plant operation, and engineering design. Previously General Manager Process Development for Hastings Technology Metals.
David Parker - Commercial Manager
David Parker - Commercial Manager
As a former Director & Co. Secretary for various ASX listed companies, David has over 20 years’ experience in equity capital markets in the mining, industrial and technology sectors
Carrie Pritchard - Environmental Manager
Carrie Pritchard - Environmental Manager
Carrie has over 20 years of experience in the fields of project development, approvals/consenting, environmental impact assessment, stakeholder consultation, environmental management, mine closure and reclamation and the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites. Experience mainly within Australia (Western Australia, Victoria) and New Zealand with some time in Malawi and Greenland.
Arabella Burwell - Head of Corporate Development
Arabella Burwell - Head of Corporate Development
Arabella is a corporate and business development expert with nearly two decades of experience in the resource and technology sectors. Specialist in corporate finance, capital markets and strategic capital raising. Previously at NASDAQ listed technology firm GoDaddy as Senior Director of Corporate Development, Partner at UK-based resources finance boutique Hannam and Partners, and Director, Specialist Resources Sales, at Canaccord Genuity.
Alan Rubio - Engineering Manager
Alan Rubio - Engineering Manager
Alan has a background in mechanical engineering and over 25 years of experience in the resources sector, with a focus on the development and optimization of mining projects. He has specialized expertise in critical metals projects and a strong track record of working closely with mining companies to support strategic planning, project design, technical evaluation, project optimization, and risk management.
Michael Tamlin - Marketing Manager
Michael Tamlin - Marketing Manager
A metallurgist with over 30 years’ experience in the resources sector, Michael specialises in the marketing and commercialisation of mineral products. Previously Head of Lithium at Neometals Ltd, Michael was responsible for managing the pilot development and commercialisation of the ELi™ lithium hydroxide production process in joint venture with Mineral Resources Ltd.
Technical Team
Andrew Faragher - Exploration Manager
Andrew Faragher - Exploration Manager
Andrew is an exploration geologist with over 25 years’ experience working across multiple commodities. Employed by Rio Tinto as Chief Geologist – Iron Ore and Bauxite (2018-2021) and as Exploration Manager-Canada (2014-2018). Led the team which discovered >5Bt of iron ore in the Pilbara, along with building and developing successful exploration teams in Australia and Canada.
Narelle Marriott - Process Development Manager
Narelle Marriott - Process Development Manager
Narelle is a talented metallurgist with over 20 years’ experience working across multiple commodities. Previously a Senior Process Engineer at BHP’s Perth Technology Centre, Narelle has managed all aspects of process development, including orebody assessments, pilot plant operation, and engineering design. Previously General Manager Process Development for Hastings Technology Metals.
Alan Rubio - Engineering Manager
Alan Rubio - Engineering Manager
Alan has a background in mechanical engineering and over 25 years of experience in the resources sector, with a focus on the development and optimization of mining projects. He has specialized expertise in critical metals projects and a strong track record of working closely with mining companies to support strategic planning, project design, technical evaluation, project optimization, and risk management.
Pocholo Aviso - Senior Hydro-metallurgist
Pocholo Aviso - Senior Hydro-metallurgist
Pocholo is an experienced metallurgist, recently with BHP and Tronox. He worked in process development, commissioning and operation of hydrometallurgical processing plants for the recovery and refining of TiO2, copper, tungsten, alumina and battery metals.
Tsog Batsaikhan - Senior Geologist
Tsog Batsaikhan - Senior Geologist
Tsog is a geologist with over 18 years of international experience in exploration, resource definition, and operational geology. He specialises in orebody modelling, geochemistry, and ore paragenesis across diverse geological settings. His work spans projects in Mongolia, Australia, and Zimbabwe, covering a broad range of commodities. Tsog brings a strong technical foundation and a proven track record of delivering results in complex geological environments.
Eugene Dardengo - Titanium Industry Specialist (Advisor)
Eugene Dardengo - Titanium Industry Specialist (Advisor)
Eugene is an experienced Technical andOperations Manager with a broad background in the titanium oxide and mineral sands industry. Joined the TiO₂ pigment producer Tiwest in 1997, spending 12 years working in plant operations, technical support, mineral testwork & laboratory services, Currently a titanium industry consultant specializing in beneficiation and downstream processing.
Dr Trevor Nicholson - Titanium Industry Specialist (Advisor)
Dr Trevor Nicholson - Titanium Industry Specialist (Advisor)
Trevor is an experienced technical manager with an extensive metallurgical background who has been involved with the Titanium industry since 1987. Key strengths are in project management and process engineering services backed by highly developed engineering and analytical skills which have been demonstrated through a track record of successful titanium project outcomes.