Labrador Trough-focused project developer Alderon Iron Ore on Thursday announced the appointment of former BHP Billiton iron-ore president Ian Ashby and former Shell Canada president and CEO Adrian Loader to its board.

“We are thrilled to be adding the expertise of both Ian and Adrian to our board at such a crucial time in the company's development,” Alderon executive chairperson Mark Morabito commented.

Alderon is gearing up to start construction of its Kami project later this year and Morabito said that the experience of the new board members would be “invaluable”.

The company recently received Ministerial approval for three critical permits needed to start construction, including approval for its general environmental protection plan, the valued ecosystem component environmental protection plan and an environmental effects monitoring plan. The Kami project, which is owned 75% by Alderon and 25% by Hebei Iron & Steel Group, is expected to produce eight-million tonnes a year of concentrate at a grade of 65.5% iron and could be expanded to 16-million tonnes a year.

Ashby worked 25 years for diversified giant BHP Billiton. During his time with the group, he held many senior roles including COO of base metals, COO of Western Australia Iron Ore and president of its iron-ore business from 2006 to 2012. Ashby was accountable for the largest and most profitable business within BHP Billiton and was instrumental in expanding the business to almost twice its capacity during his tenure.

Loader spent 20 years working for Shell, including most recently as president and CEO of Shell Canada. During his time with Shell, Loader led the merger and acquisition activity and was responsible for strategic direction, scenarios, competitive intelligence and planning.

Alderon said that Matt Simpson, who has been involved with the iron-ore developer for almost four years, would step down from the board.

Meanwhile, Alderon announced that the TSX had approved its July 29 annual general meeting (AGM). This is outside the TSX requirement that a company hold an AGM within six months of its year end. “Alderon is evaluating several transactions that may require shareholder approval and chose to delay the holding of its AGM rather than holding multiple shareholder meetings in short succession,” the company explained.