Our Leadership Group
The qualifications and experience of the Directors of Tshukudu Metals Botswana (Pty) Ltd are detailed below.
Mr Gabaikanngwe G Chinyepi
Executive Director
Qualifications: MSc Economic and Exploration Geology; MSc Public Administration (Human Resources)
Mr Chinyepi is a qualified geologist with over 20 years’ experience within the mining, academia and exploration industry. He has been the Botswana representative of Sandfire Resources Ltd (previously MOD Resources Ltd) since 2011 and became the Executive Country Manager in 2018. Mr Chinyepi was appointed a director of Tshukudu Metals Botswana (Pty) Ltd in November 2015 and Tshukudu Exploration (Pty) Ltd in June 2018.
Mr Dale Burgess
Executive Country Head – Botswana
Qualifications: Bachelor in Mine Engineering – Ballarat University
Mr Burgess is a mining engineer with over 30 years of global industry experience and brings extensive operational, technical, leadership and management experience and a proven track record in optimising and expanding on operations across jurisdictions. He joined Sandfire in July 2021.
During his career, he has held several senior management level positions where he has successfully led multi-disciplinary teams in open pit and underground operations for companies such as Barrick Gold – Pueblo Viejo Operation in Dominican Republic, Barrick Niugini Porgera Operation in PNG, Bersa Gold in Vietnam, and the Great Australian Copper Mine for CopperChem Limited.
Ms Francinah Tjitjindua
Chief Financial Officer
Qualifications: B.A. Accounting
Ms Tjitjindua is a qualified accountant with over 15 years’ experience in financial management, auditing, risk management, compliance and general information technology coordination. Prior to joining Sandfire, Ms Tjitjindua worked for diamond mines, as a Finance and Administration Manager followed by a role as Risk and Compliance Coordinator. She joined Sandfire in November 2020. She is a member of the institute of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) with the institute of Chartered Accountants of Botswana (BICA).
Mr Ian Kerr
Non-Executive Director
Qualifications: Civil Engineer BE Honours (II), MIE Aust
Mr Kerr is a professional engineer with over 36 years’ experience, including 32 years in the mining industry. He has worked in project management and operations management roles in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, taking projects from concept through to commissioning, whilst working directly with international mining houses.
Mr Kerr joined Sandfire Resources Ltd in September 2019 as Project Director and is responsible for the development and construction of the Motheo Copper Mine. Prior to joining Sandfire, he successfully managed a significant $300M Brownfield expansion of the Rio Tinto owned Tom Price iron ore processing plant and delivered the construction of the $100M Dalgaranga Gold project in Western Australia. Mr Kerr was appointed a director of Tshukudu Metals Botswana (Pty) Ltd in February 2020.