South32 and Trilogy pick Newmont VP for Ambler job

25th August 2020 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Ramzi Fawaz has been appointed president and CEO of Ambler Metals, joint venture partners South32 and Trilogy Metals announced on Tuesday.

Fawaz joins Ambler, which is exploring and developing the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (UKMP) in Alaska, from Newmont, where he was senior VP projects until October last year.

“With decades of experience in the development of major resources projects, his leadership will be integral to the next phase of Arctic studies and unlocking the value of the Ambler District's high-quality base and precious metals resources,” said South32 CEO Graham Kerr.

Before joining Newmont, he served as senior VP operations at Atomic Energy Canada, where he led all project development, refurbishment and building of the CANDU reactor projects.

Prior to Atomic Energy, he was with Royal Dutch Shell, where he worked for 30 years in various senior roles. Among those, Fawaz was responsible for leading the Athabasca Oil Sands expansion project, in Canada, and the Nigeria liquefied natural gas (LNG) Train 3 and LPG expansion project, in Nigeria.

"After an exhaustive global search, we have secured a person who I think will make a significant contribution to the growth and development of the UKMP. Ramzi has a track record of success in the development of remote projects,” commented Trilogy president and CEO Tony Giardini.

Mr Fawaz has a BSc in electrical engineering from the American University of Beirut, in Lebanon, and a Master's degree in power engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

Last week, Ambler Metals announced the outcomes of a feasibility study for the Arctic base and precious metals project, which put an initial capital expenditure tag of $906-million on the project.