Diamond Fields International has appointed Francis J. Waldron as chairman of
the board of directors and chief executive officer. Mr. Waldron has been a
director of the company since June, 1999, and is currently associated with MIL
Investments, a private company owned by Jean-Raymond Boulle, the largest
shareholder of Diamond Fields. Previously, Mr. Waldron had 31 years of service
with the MONY Group, with his last responsibility being senior vice-president
of international operations, along with holding various board positions with
MONY subsidiary companies. Mr. Waldron replaces as chairman Dr. Richard H.T.
Garnett who has resigned from his non-executive role on the board in order to
pursue independent interests in the marine mining industry. The board and
management of Diamond Fields thank Dr. Garnett for his major contribution,
dating back to 1993, to the company’s future success, having benefited from
his considerable experience in offshore mining.
Diamond Fields has decided to advance its Luderitz diamond project in
Namibia to the feasibility stage of development. To facilitate this process,
Mark Collins will be joining DFI as
chief operating officer, reporting to Daniel D. Johnson, president and
director. Mr. Collins, a professional geologist, is currently employed by MIL
Investments. He was previously a senior executive and director with America
Mineral Fields and has also worked in southern Africa for RTZ and Anglo
American Corporation. Mr. Collins will be responsible for directing the final
feasibility stage for the Luderitz project, including overseeing the selection
and development of appropriate technology required for the mining of marine
diamonds. In addition, Mr. Collins will work with Randal Cullen, Diamond
Fields’ principal geologist in southern Africa, to expand the company’s
current resource base in Namibia and to evaluate other diamond exploration opportunities.
Mr. Johnson said: “The company’s immediate focus is on the development
of its sea diamond concessions near Luderitz. We believe that these
concessions will evolve into a highly profitable mining operation. The
addition of Mr. Collins as COO will further strengthen the team required to
advance this project through the final feasibility stage and into
production.”
