Board of Directors

Peter Gerard Cook (Non Executive Chairman)

Mr Cook is a geologist (BSc (Applied Geology)) and mineral economist (MSc (Min. Econ)) and is the Non Executive Chairman of Metals X Limited. In recent years he has been the Managing Director of Metals X, Hill 50 Limited, Harmony Gold Australia Pty Ltd, Abelle Limited and the chairman of Metals Exploration Limited. He has considerable experience in the fields of exploration, mining project and corporate management of listed entities in the resource sector. He is a member of AusIMM.

Paul Garrett Benson (Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer)

Mr Benson is a geologist (BSc (Geology), MAusIMM, MAICD) with over 17 years experience the mining industry. He has considerable experience in the exploration and development of gold and tin projects in Australia. Prior to joining Aragon Paul was employed by Metals X Limited initially as the Geology Manager for the Collingwood Project, managing the geological and environmental aspects of the project since construction and since April 2006 as General Manager of the Collingwood Tin Project. Prior to joining Metals X, his previous roles include Exploration Geologist with Consolidated Gold at Davyhurst/Riverina WA, Underground Mine Geologist with Abelle at Gidgee WA, Project Geologist with Barrick at Lawlers WA and Senior Exploration Geologist with Westcoast Mining at Tuckabianna WA.
Paul was appointed Non Executive Director of Vital Metals Ltd in April 2009.

Simon Eley (Executive Director)

Simon Eley is a corporate/commercial lawyer and spearheaded the acquisition of the Central Murchison Gold Project. Simon has over 12 years practical and corporate experience in the mining and resources sector. Prior to joining Aragon, Simon worked with ASX200 company Aquila Resources Limited where he worked closely with the executive management in corporate strategy, assessing potential acquisitions and managing divestments. Simon was engaged as the Corporate Manager for Manhattan Resources Pty Ltd that was the subject of a takeover by Uranio Limited (and re-named Manhattan Corporation Limited), an ASX listed uranium exploration company. Simon was involved with the creation, promotion and management of Manhattan Resources Pty Ltd.

Simon worked for Woodside Petroleum Limited. He was a part of the Chinguetti Project management team based in Mauritania for Woodside and chief legal advisor reporting to the President & General Manager. His responsibilities in Mauritania extended to the management of the supply chain responsible for the significant operational, exploration, and capital expenditure requirements of the project. Simon was an integral part of the leadership team tasked with maximising Woodside’s investment in the region. Simon has worked previously for ASX listed Clough Ltd and legal firm Clayton Utz. Simon has hands on experience in open-pit and milling operations in base metal and gold mines in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Ben Pollard (Non Executive Director)

Mr Pollard is a Geologist with significant mining, exploration and management experience in the gold industry throughout Western Australia. He brings to the Company exploration, mine planning and resource estimation skills suited to the project development and Company’s expansion plans through 2010. He is also Principal Geologist of BMGS Perth managing geological consulting services in Australia and overseas.

Brian David Thomas (Non Executive Director)

Mr Thomas is a geologist (BSc, MBA, SA Fin, MAusIMM, MAICD) with over 20 years of mining and exploration industry experience complemented by 12 years in the Australian financial services sector. He is currently Managing Director of ASX listed Chrome Corporation Ltd and was one of the founding directors of Navarre Resources Pty Ltd prior to its takeover by Westgold Resources NL. He was previously a Director with Westpac Institutional Bank sourcing Energy and Resources finance opportunities, which followed a period with Merrill Lynch Investment Banking Group, MacIntosh Corporate and Morgan Corporate. The shift to the finance industry followed an extended period of operational management in the resources sector with both production and exploration roles.