Craig Dean is Chairman and CEO of Gerald Group, the largest independent and employee-owned global metals merchandise.
Prior to becoming CEO in 2012, Craig served as Group CFO for five years.
There was wide celebration by residents at Sierra Rutile when news broke out on Wednesday that there is an imminent takeover of Sierra Rutile by PRM.
According to source from the community, they said with Gerald Group taking over Sierra Rutile they are hopeful to get back to the glorious days when the community was under American ownerships.
Sierra Rutile Holdings Limited (ASX: SRX) (Sierra Rutile or the Company), notes the recent substantial shareholding notices dated 29 February 2024 and 6 March 2024, where two separate groups have acquired substantial shareholdings in the Company.
The first group is PRM Services LLC, which has acquired a 8.19% shareholding in the Company, as reflected in their substantial holding notice of 29 February 2024.
Sierra Rutile now understands that this shareholding is held by a company associated with Gerald Group.
Gerald Group is one of the world’s largest commodity trading companies focused on merchandising in non-ferrous, ferrous and precious metals as well as other raw materials. Gerald Group owns Marampa Mines Limited, a company engaged in the exploration, development, and production of high-grade iron ore concentrate, at the Marampa mine located in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone.
The second group is Mano Mining & Logistics Limited (“Mano”), which has acquired a 9.62% shareholding in the company as reflected in their substantial shareholder notice of 6 March 2024.
Mano is a Sierra Leonean owned multi-disciplinary company with a focus on engineering, infrastructure, construction, geotechnical surveys, mining, procurement, logistics and project management related services. Mano has been one of the mining contractors operating at the Company’s Area 1 operations up until the suspension of mining operations at Area 1 as announced on 11 March 2024.
As active participants in the Sierra Leone mining industry, the Company welcomes both Gerald Group and Mano as new substantial shareholders of the company.
Commenting on the new substantial holders, Chairman Greg Martin said; “Both Gerald Group and Mano Mining & Logistics are prominent investors in the Sierra Leonean mining industry. SRX believes the recent acquisition of Sierra Rutile shares by these two significant local market participants highlights the significant potential and strategic value of SierraRutile’s assets.”
Craig Dean, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Gerald Group, has been spotlighted as a prominent figure among North American players in the African mining sector.
The accolade comes from the prestigious African Report Magazine, featuring Dean in their column titled, “North America: Who’s Who in African Mining.”
The Gerald Group, under Craig Dean’s leadership since 2012 has emerged as a leading independent metals trading house, and is expanding its footprint across new African markets. Founded in 1962, the Group operates in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Republic of Congo, with trading hubs in strategic locations like Shanghai, Stamford, and Switzerland, and headquarters in London.
Notably, Gerald Group’s flagship subsidiary, Marampa Mines Limited, under Dean’s chairmanship and CEO role, has significantly contributed to the iron ore mining sector in Northern Sierra Leone. The company’s operations focus on exploring, developing, and producing high-grade iron ore concentrate, known as Marampa BlueTM, recognized globally for its quality and sustainability.
His transformative leadership has propelled Marampa Mines from obscurity to one of Africa’s premier iron ore producers, stimulating economic growth and social development in Sierra Leone. The company’s recent commissioning of an expansion project, increasing production to 3.25 million tonnes per annum, marks a significant milestone in its journey.
During a notable commissioning event attended by Sierra Leone’s President, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, Dean reiterated Gerald Group’s commitment to advancing economies sustainably. He emphasized the company’s role in producing high-grade ore, contributing to global trade while prioritizing environmental responsibility and social impact.
Craig Dean’s vision extends beyond corporate success, as evidenced by Gerald Group’s engagement in community development projects.
Gerald Metals Sarl, a subsidiary of Gerald Group, on the 14th November, 2019 confirmed funding of US$126,000 for a vital community water project being undertaken by the Lowa Alliance ASBL in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Group has a strategic investment in the world’s premier emerging tin deposit project. It must be noted that the Logu Potable Water Project is benefitting over 500 households, enabling the community to access potable water at 9 points in the Logu village next to where Alphamin Bisie’s logistics and export hub is based. With the development of the Bisie Tin Project, the population of Logu has increased significantly. To source water the villagers used to walk to the nearest river and the water must be carried back from several kilometres away. Water-borne diseases in Africa constitute a major hazard to health and life span.
Such an initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo demonstrates the Group’s commitment to local communities and sustainable practices.
Notably, in the latest edition of the African Report Magazine Craig Dean was featured among other North American key players in the Mining Sector in Africa.
Arguably, the recognition of North American players like Craig Dean underscores a broader trend of increased interest from the United States and Canada in Africa’s mining sector. Fuelled by the Green Energy Revolution, companies are strategically positioning themselves to secure critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies.
Collaborative efforts between the US and Canada, such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), further underline the commitment to Africa’s mining future. These developments signal a significant shift in the global mining industry, with North American companies poised to shape Africa’s mineral landscape and ensure resource security in the era of sustainable energy.
It can be deduced that under the managerial direction of Craig Dean, the US has made considerable inroads within the African mining landscape as is evident in the vibrant operations of Gerald Group in different parts of the continent.