AAMEG Board

Peter De Leo

Chair

Peter De Leo, Managing Director of Lycopodium Limited, is a civil engineer with over 30 years’ experience within the resources and infrastructure sectors. Successfully delivering many of Lycopodium’s pioneering and large-scale projects in Africa, Peter is a trusted advisor in the design, engineering and construction of resource projects. Peter brings first-hand understanding of the risks and challenges businesses face working on the continent, but also a sound appreciation of the benefits and opportunities that come with it.

Sherif Andrawes

Director

Sherif is the Global Head of Natural Resources for BDO which is a global accounting and consulting firm with around 90,000 staff. As a leader of the Corporate Finance practice of BDO in Perth, he has led BDO teams for numerous capital markets transactions, has prepared over 500 public independent expert reports and investigating accountant’s report.  Sherif is recognised as a leader in his field. His valuation reports have been required for many different purposes including takeovers, schemes of arrangements, expert witness, capital raising, application for funding and taxation.

Sherif has had a particular focus on Australian mining companies who operate in Africa.  He has supported such clients over many years and can bring that experience to the benefit of AAMEG and its members. As a supporter of AAMEG and other relevant Australian/African ventures, such as Africa Down Under and the Cape Town Mining Indaba for many years, he understands the importance of stakeholders too.

Elissa Cornelius

Director

Elissa is a Non-Executive Director of Perseus Mining Limited, having formerly held the role of Chief Financial Officer from 2013 to 2020 and starting with the company in 2010. Perseus Mining is a rapidly growing African focussed gold producer, developer and explorer, operating three gold mines in West Africa. Perseus recently acquired 70% of the Meyas Sand Gold Project in Sudan. Elissa has been involved from the exploration phase through to feasibility, financing, construction and operation of gold mines and has experience operating in both Francaphone and English jurisdictions.

Elissa is a Chartered Accountant (ICAA) with a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) from Curtin University and has over 20 years of experience in a range of financial roles with Australian and International companies. Elissa has held financial management roles with various companies involved with gold, base metals and oil & gas mining in Australia and internationally.

Richard Hyde

Director

Founder, CEO and Executive Chairman of West African Resources Ltd, Richard is a geologist with 30 years’ experience in the mining industry and over 25 years’ experience operating in West Africa.  He founded West African Resources in 2006, leading the company through its IPO in 2010, major gold discovery in 2016, to first gold production in 2020, completing construction 6 months ahead of schedule and US$20 million under budget.

In 2021 Richard led West African’s acquisition of the 7.8Moz Kiaka Gold Project, including raising over A$136 million in equity to support the transaction.  In 2023 Richard and his team secured a further US$265 million in debt funding for the development and construction of Kiaka, which is over 50% complete and remains on schedule to pour first gold in the second half of 2025.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Geophysics from the University of New England and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

Philippa Leggat

Director

Philippa is a resource company director with over 20 years of experience in advancing and funding resources projects. She’s served as an executive, director and advisor of resource companies engaged in exploration and development in developing economies, including several African countries. Philippa’s ability to effectively communicate an organisation’s advantages has led to successful marketing campaigns and raising over $75m in equity.

She is a director of Venture Minerals and Harena Resources (AAMEG member). Harena is advancing a substantial, ionic clay REE project in Madagascar towards development.

Years of practical experience mean that Philippa understands the complexities of operating in African jurisdictions while delivering value to investors. Changing geopolitical risks and supply chains have seen increased value being placed on ESG credentials, presenting an opportunity for AAMEG members.

Philippa will dedicate time, using her skills and networks, to increase AAMEG member access to the finance and investment communities, with the aim of growing AAMEG and increasing its positive influence.

Philippa has a BCom (financial management, strategy and risk), BA and GAICD.

Mark Norwell

Director

Mark is the MD and CEO of Perenti (former Ausdrill) employing over 8000 people and 5000 employees working in Africa, employed by AMS, AUMS and Barminco, all wholly owned subsidiaries of Perenti. Perenti, through AMS has over 25 years of operating experience in Africa. Perenti currently operates across 10 countries in Africa for multiple clients, in both surface mining and underground mining. Mark has over 20 years of experience in the mining industry working in Australia, Africa, North America and South America, and has previously worked for Thiess, Leighton Contractors, Henry Walker Eltin and Macmahon.

Mark has a degree in civil engineering (honours) from the University of Western Australia and a MBA from the University of New South Wales.

Mark Somlyay

Director

Mark is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Aura Energy, an ASX listed Uranium development company focussed on developing the Tiris Uranium Project in Mauritania. Mark has over 25 Years experience in the mining industry. A substantial portion of his career has been spent working for ASX listed companies in Africa with a particular focus on bringing greenfield developments into operation. His experience spans the fields of accounting, legal, tax, human resources, supply chain and government relations. Mark has worked in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Mauritania for companies such as Barrick Gold, Perseus Mining, Chesser Resources and more recently, Aura Energy.

Mark has an extensive on ground network across many countries in Africa, within government and the business community. Mark has a desire to contribute to the ongoing success of Australian outbound investment into Africa by both service providers and mining companies and welcomes the opportunity to do so through contribution to the strategy and stewardship of the Australia, Africa Minerals and Energy Group, an organisation which provides valuable services, advocacy insights and connections for its members.

Meriel Steadman

Director

Meriel is a Partner at Piper Alderman, a leading law firm which has operated in Australia for over 150 years and belongs to an international network of law firms. With over 20 years of experience in contract drafting and advising international clients on complex legal disputes, Meriel is renowned for providing clear, concise and commercially sound advice, allowing her clients to achieve their strategic objectives. Her experience in working for an international resources company in addition to one of Australia’s top universities has enabled her to advise clients on strategies to avoid or resolve disputes in a commercially effective way.

Meriel has advised a number of companies with Africa projects including Sundance Resources Limited. Danakeli Limited, Tiger Resources Limited and its subsidiary Société d’Exploitation de Kipoi and Yellow River. Alongside being a Graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course, Meriel possesses practical Board experience, acting as Director for Telethon Community Cinemas, the Australian British Chamber of Commerce and the Perth Centre for Energy and Resources Arbitration (PCERA).

Joseph Taboni

Director

Joseph (Joe) sits as the Director – Global Risk Services for International SOS. His remit covers all Mining, Oil & Gas and Energy projects run globally by Australian companies, which has him regularly working with clients who have overseas projects and operations in Africa. Joe has worked in the Energy, Mining and Infrastructure sector with a particular focus on risk for the past 15 years.

Prior to joining International SOS, Joe’s previous position saw him responsible for setting up national pre-deployment assessment centres to ensure employees were fit for assignment – and more specifically, assessments of health, security risk and the delivery of medical solutions to remote operations were achieved. With regular travel to visit clients in countries such as Ghana, Mozambique and Burkina Faso, Joe’s current role now sees him designing and overseeing the delivery of operations in line with medical evacuation response plans and security escalation protocols for International SOS clients operating overseas.