TORONTO, CANADA – Chief Executive Officer Lars-Eric Johansson, on behalf of the Board of Directors and the women and men of Ivanhoe Mines, today congratulated Executive Chairman Robert Friedland on his induction into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame for accomplishments during his career in the international mining industry.
Ivanhoe Mines Executive Chairman Robert Friedland
(left) receives Canadian Mining Hall of Fame
certificate from prominent Canadian mining
executive Pierre Lassonde.
“The Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of individual recognition within Canadian mining. It’s a great distinction for Robert and a deserved acknowledgement of his extensive achievements in mineral exploration and mine development in Canada, the United States, Asia Pacific and Southern Africa,” Mr. Johansson said.
Mr. Friedland was one of five industry leaders who were inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in a formal ceremony attended by approximately 800 people in Toronto on January 14. The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding lifetime achievements to the benefit of the Canadian and/or global mineral industry.
Mr. Johansson said the management and staff of Ivanhoe Mines are privileged to have his guiding leadership and experience as the company enters a new year that already is presenting formidable challenges for the global mining industry.
“What is particularly pleasing is that his latest recognition also can be appreciated by our partners, host governments and communities as an indicator of considerable confidence that 2016 indeed will see further significant advancement of our principal projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa.”
Mr. Johansson added that creating jobs and helping to stimulate economic development always has been a priority for Ivanhoe Mines as the company goes about its work.
“Our ability to attract the necessary international investment in our key projects requires an experienced, respected leadership with a can-do spirit that consistently delivers on its commitments. It’s part of what we know to be The Ivanhoe Way.”
More than US$10 billion raised on world markets to advance resource project
The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame introduced Mr. Friedland as “a dynamic, transformative force in the Canadian and international mining industries for more than 25 years”, adding, “The entrepreneur, financier and company-maker is one of the most recognized mining personalities and achievers in the world. With his leadership, executives and companies affiliated with his Ivanhoe Capital Corp. have raised more than US$10 billion on world capital markets to advance natural resource exploration and development projects and leading-edge exploration and communications technologies in more than 30 nations.”
Acknowledging the initial announcement, Mr. Friedland said he shared the honour of joining Canadian mining’s Hall of Fame with the members of several teams of bright, dedicated individuals whose outstanding efforts with his companies during the past three decades have contributed to a number of notable discoveries.
“Their skills and successes have transformed lives, created thousands of jobs and are continuing to generate revenues that support economic growth and help to sustain vibrant communities,” he said.
A recognized leader among the most influential leaders shaping mining’s future
In another international recognition, Mr. Friedland, who founded Ivanhoe Mines in 1994, was named the fourth most influential person in the world of mining by the London-based Mining Journal last month. The publication ranked Mr. Friedland alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, United States President Barack Obama, Randgold’s Mark Bristow and Sprott’s Rick Rule in the top five of its selection of the industry’s 20 most influential individuals, describing him as “the undisputed king of junior development”.
Mining Journal’s December 21 announcement, headlined ‘Mining’s power people’, said: “No other packs out a room like Friedland and so it can be accurately said that mining professionals actually queue up to listen to his views. Behind the charisma, there is substance. He was behind the discovery of the Fort Knox gold deposit (Alaska, U.S.) and the Voisey’s Bay nickel deposit (Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada), which became major mines; and the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold deposit (Mongolia), Kamoa copper deposit (the Democratic Republic of Congo), and Platreef PGM deposit (South Africa), which are being developed. Friedland speaks his mind and is generally ahead of the curve in both the jurisdictions and commodities he picks.”
These latest recognitions buttress previous honours that Mr. Friedland has received during his career, which have included Hong Kong’s inaugural Mining Personality of the Year in 2012, Australia’s Dealmaker of the Year in 2011 and Canada’s Developer of the Year in 1996.
Mr. Johansson said that with Mr. Friedland at Ivanhoe’s helm, “we remain confident that our company will continue to attract the interest and support that will secure the financial resources that will help us to proceed with the planned development of our Kamoa and Kipushi projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Platreef Project in South Africa. The Ivanhoe Way remains the key to our shared destinies.”
Information contacts
Investors
Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834
Media
North America: Bob Williamson +1.604.512.4856
South Africa: Jeremy Michaels +27.82.939.4812
Website www.ivanhoemines.com