SRK gets new chairman, opens offices in Mongolia, Mexico

Mining consultancy firm SRK has appointed Michael Armitage as chairman.
Armitage, a geologist by profession, has worked in the industry for 25 years, 20 of them at SRK. He replaces SRK’s chairman of 15 years, Nick Rigby.
“I bring to the role an understanding of and a commitment to both SRK and the mining industry as a whole,” Armitage said in a press release. “It makes me extremely proud and honoured to have been given the opportunity.”
Armitage said he is committed to maintaining SRK’s reputation for producing a quality product in the industry, while at the same time growing the company to enable appropriate support in the developing world.
Towards that goal SRK has also opened new offices in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Zacatecas, Mexico. The company is recruiting geologists, engineers and interpreters to staff the Ulaanbaatar office.
SRK China managing director Yonglian Sun said Mongolia is “the next frontier” for mining development, in a press release.
“To facilitate project execution, it is necessary for SRK to have a presence in Mongolia, where both Mongolian and international clients can meet SRK regularly for project updates, and where SRK can provide services to them,” Sun said.
SRK’s new office in Zacatecas is near several existing and planned long-term precious and base metal mines, the company said in a statement.
 “A key goal is to enhance the SRK brand by increasing our roster of bilingual technical specialists who are familiar with our consulting culture, methodology and Mexican mining industry,” said Terry Braun, who is leading the Mexican office team.