TORONTO and JOHANNESBURG, July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Uranium Corporation (TSX:FIU, JSE:FUM) (ISIN:CA33744R1029) ("First Uranium" or "the Company") has appointed Scot Sobey as Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of Chemwes, the wholly-owned subsidiary of First Uranium that operates the Mine Waste Solutions tailings recovery project ("MWS") and John Gould as acting COO of the Ezulwini Mining Company, the wholly-owned subsidiary of First Uranium that operates the Ezulwini Mine. These appointments are part of an organizational re-structuring to appoint a single leader at each operation with the intent of ensuring that the Company achieves its critical production growth milestones.
"Scot Sobey is an obvious choice as our new COO for MWS," said Gordon Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Uranium. "Scot is very familiar with the operation and the staff at MWS and, from its inception, has worked extensively on many aspects of this operation. He has earned the confidence of the MWS team, the Company's Executive and the First Uranium Board of Directors."
Prior to this appointment, Scot Sobey has been serving as First Uranium's Vice President, Business Development, having been appointed to that position in February 2007. Mr. Sobey's background lies in management consulting and project management, having spent four years with Gemini Consulting, followed by two years with PSP Icon. Mr. Sobey has developed extensive expertise in large-scale turnaround and transformation projects spanning the mining, financial services, courier and freight, telecommunications and electricity industries. From October 2005, he jointly project managed the start up of the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, formerly known as DRD Gold's North West Operations. Mr Sobey formed an integral part of the Company's initial public offering team in December 2006.
Mr. Miller also commented on John Gould's appointment. "John brings excellent qualifications and experience to this important role at First Uranium. His familiarity with the resources, mine plan and operations at the Ezulwini Mine make John an ideal candidate for this position. He is well respected in the industry and amongst his colleagues at the Ezwulini Mine and has proven himself as a valued member of First Uranium's executive management team."
John Gould has served as First Uranium's Vice President, Exploration and Technical Services since he was appointed to that position in February 2008. He has been involved in all aspects of gold mining in South Africa, including mines in the vicinity of the Ezulwini Mine. Mr. Gould has held a variety of positions with South African mining companies, including Mine Geologist, Technical Services Manager, Mine Manager and Executive Director, and most recently, until October 2007, served as Managing Director of Platinum Group Metals Limited, a developing junior mining company. He has previously worked with Gold Fields of South Africa, JCI and Harmony Gold Mines. Mr. Gould also played a leading role in the development and support of South Africa's Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
Mr. Miller added, "Coincident with these announcements, Syd Caddy, who diligently stewarded the operations through the massive development phase of the last 18 months, has decided to leave the Company for personal reasons. We thank Syd for his tireless devotion to the Company's objectives and wish him the very best for the future."
About First Uranium Corporation
First Uranium Corporation (TSX:FIU, JSE:FUM) is focused on its goal of becoming a significant low-cost producer of uranium and gold through the expansion of the underground development to feed the new uranium and gold plants at the Ezulwini Mine and through the expansion of the plant capacity of the Mine Waste Solutions tailings recovery facility, both in South Africa. First Uranium also plans to grow production by pursuing value-enhancing acquisition and joint venture opportunities in South Africa and elsewhere.
Cautionary Language regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains and refers to forward-looking information based on current expectations. All other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release including, without limitation, statements regarding processing and development plans and future plans and objectives of First Uranium are forward-looking statements (or forward-looking information) that involve various risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements that are included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
First Uranium Corporation
CONTACT: Bob Tait, VP Investor Relations at bob@firsturanium.ca or (416)
342-5639 (office) or (416) 558-3858 (mobile), 1240-155 University Avenue,
Toronto, ON, Canada, M5H 3B7, http://www.firsturanium.com/
