Egizio Bianchini to become Ivanhoe Mines’ Executive Vice Chairman as company strengthens leadership team in preparation for next phase of growth TORONTO, CANADA – Robert Friedland, Executive Chairman and founder of Ivanhoe
February 8, 2018
Egizio Bianchini to become Ivanhoe Mines’ Executive Vice Chairman
as company strengthens leadership team
in preparation for next phase of growth
TORONTO, CANADA – Robert Friedland, Executive Chairman and founder of Ivanhoe
Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF), and Lars-Eric Johansson, Chief Executive Officer,
today announced the strengthening of the company’s senior management team with the
appointment of Egizio Bianchini as Ivanhoe’s Executive Vice Chairman.
BMO Capital Markets has announced Mr. Bianchini’s forthcoming retirement
as Vice Chairman and Co-Head of its Global Metals & Mining Group after 29 years with
the organization.
Mr. Bianchini’s appointment with Ivanhoe Mines will be effective March 12, 2018.
He also will join Ivanhoe’s board of directors as the company continues with the
development of its three tier-one mining projects in Southern Africa: Kamoa-Kakula,
Kipushi and Platreef.
"Ivanhoe Mines has worked with Egizio for more than 20 years as the company has
evolved into a significant international mining enterprise. Now, the Ivanhoe directors
agree that Egizio is the person to help us escalate the momentum we have generated
with our world-scale discoveries and mine development projects in Africa,” Mr.
Friedland said.
“Our next phase of growth involves securing the strategic financing to bring these
projects into production. Egizio is one of the most respected and accomplished
investment banking professionals in the world’s metals and mining sector. He has a
deep understanding and appreciation of our projects and a career of experience
working in major capital markets and leading strategic transactions to achieve value
creation. His vision, knowledge and success record are enhancing qualities that will
support Ivanhoe’s ambition as we embark on our next phase of growth,” Mr. Friedland
added.
“Over the years, I have come to appreciate that qualified people realize the greatest
potential of quality projects. Egizio’s appointment is reminiscent of our situation in 2001
when the late Ed Flood joined us from Haywood Securities, becoming Deputy Chairman
to support the development of our Oyu Tolgoi gold and copper discovery in Mongolia.
Ed was instrumental in helping to secure Rio Tinto as a strategic financing partner for
Oyu Tolgoi – an arrangement that proved key to Oyu Tolgoi’s emergence as one of the
world’s top copper and gold mines. We are confident that Egizio will help Ivanhoe’s
board and senior management to achieve other outstanding outcomes for our current
shareholders and stakeholders.”
2
Mr. Johansson acknowledged Mr. Bianchini’s career achievements as a seasoned
leader with significant experience working with the public financial markets and
delivering value to shareholders. “We are fortunate to have him join us as Executive
Vice Chairman at this stage of our development and look forward to his advice and
guidance in executing our financing and strategic initiatives to help lead Ivanhoe to its
next level of success.”
Mr. Bianchini commented, “I am very privileged to have the opportunity to assume this
role at such an exciting time for Ivanhoe Mines. As leader of the company’s external
banking team, I have developed a deep appreciation for the quality of Ivanhoe’s projects
and its depth of talented people. Robert is one of the mining industry's best known and
most successful entrepreneurs, a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centred
leadership approach to its business. I will be working closely with Robert, Lars-Eric and
other members of Ivanhoe’s management team to continue to deliver on the company’s
strategic growth plan.”
Mr. Bianchini, Vice Chairman of BMO Capital Markets since April 2011, has 30 years’
experience in the metals and mining financial services sector. He has an extensive track
record in advising a wide range of metals and mining companies around the world and
in structuring and executing initial public offerings and other capital raisings.
Before joining BMO Capital Markets, Mr. Bianchini worked for a major producer of
precious metals. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the
University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University
of Toronto.
About Ivanhoe Mines
Ivanhoe Mines is advancing its three principal projects in southern Africa: 1) Mine
development at the Platreef platinum-palladium-gold-nickel-copper discovery on the
Northern Limb of South Africa’s Bushveld Complex; 2) mine development and
exploration at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project on the Central African Copperbelt in
the DRC; and 3) upgrading at the historic, high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-
germanium mine, also on the DRC’s Copperbelt. For details, visit
www.ivanhoemines.com.
Information contacts
Investors
Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834
Media
North America: Bob Williamson +1.604.512.4856
South Africa: Jeremy Michaels +27.82.772.1122