Lucas Dow appointed Managing Director and CEO

MONTRÉAL, July 2, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — North American lithium producer Sayona Mining Limited (“Sayona”) (ASX:SYA; OTCQB:SYAXF) is pleased to announce that Mr. Lucas Dow has been appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) with effect from 3 July 2024.

Lucas joined the board as a non-executive director on 14 February 2024 and will now assume the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer following the handover to interim Chief Executive Officer, James Brown. It is expected that James will remain an executive director until 31 January 2025 to facilitate the handover and business continuity, after which he will revert to the role of non-executive director.

Lucas is a highly experienced mining executive with a proven track record across multiple industries, sectors and geographies. His skills will help Sayona take the next step in its growth as a leading lithium producer in North America.

Lucas has led resources organisations at CEO level and held executive and non-executive director roles in listed and unlisted entities. As a mining engineer with extensive operational experience in both the mining resources and renewable energy sectors, he is well-versed in global resource trends and growth markets.

Commenting on the nomination, Lucas said: “I am excited to lead a company with such exceptional potential. Sayona is fortunate to have multiple emerging tier-one assets, including North American Lithium (NAL) and Moblan, that will support the company’s future success.

“I would like to thank and recognize James for his significant efforts as interim CEO over the past ten months, overseeing the highly successful launch of NAL. The operation is now delivering industry-leading plant utilization and recovery results, a testament to the commitment and leadership of James and the operations team in Quebec.”

Sayona Acting CEO James Brown said: “The Board is pleased to appoint Lucas as MD & CEO to lead Sayona through the next stages of its growth. We are fortunate to have secured someone with such extensive technical and corporate experience.

“I am confident that under Lucas Sayon’s leadership, it will further strengthen its market position with a dynamic future and continued commitment to excellence in the lithium sector.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our President of Canada, Sylvain Collard, and the entire Sayona team in Quebec and Australia for their unwavering support and commitment throughout my time as interim CEO.”

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Appointment of President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Canada

Sylvain Collard has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Canadian Operations upon joining Sayon in October 2022. Sylvain is responsible for the company’s projects at the Abitibi-Témiscamingue node, including NAL operations, and the Eeyou Istchee James Bay node in northern Quebec, including the exploration and development of the Moblan lithium project.

Sylvain is a specialist in mining project management and continuous process improvement. He has extensive experience in managing operations in open pit and underground mines.

Sylvain has worked on several IAMGOLD mining projects throughout his career, most notably as project manager for a major capital project at the Essakane mine in Burkina Faso, where he led 3,500 employees. He has also managed copper and gold mines and projects in Quebec, Ontario and the United States.

Acting CEO James Brown said:Sylvain’s appointment as President and COO of our Canadian operations underscores the strong leadership and deep operational knowledge he gained when he joined Sayona in 2022.

“With extensive experience in managing mining projects and operations in a variety of environments, including significant roles at IAMGOLD and various mining projects in Canada and abroad, Sylvain is ideally positioned to lead our strategic initiatives in Quebec and drive continued growth and excellence.”

Issued on behalf of the Management Board.

About Sayona Mining

Sayona Mining Limited is a North American lithium producer (ASX:SYA; OTCQB:SYAXF) with projects in Quebec, Canada and Western Australia.

In Quebec, Sayona’s assets include North American Lithium with the Authier Lithium Project and the Tansim Lithium Project, supported by a strategic partnership with U.S. lithium producer Piedmont Lithium Inc. Sayona also has a 60% interest in the Moblan Lithium Project in northern Quebec.

In Western Australia, the Company has a large portfolio of properties in the Pilbara region which has gold and lithium potential. Sayona pursues world class Hemi-style gold targets in the Pilbara region, while its lithium projects include leases owned by the Company and those in a joint venture with Morella Corporation.

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