Sumatra Copper & Gold appoints Tembang project manager

ASX-listed mineral exploration firm Sumatra Copper & Gold plc has made a key management appointment to strengthen its operational capacity and expedite development of its 100% owned Tembang gold and silver project, located in central Sumatra.

Grant Harding has been appointed as Tembang Project Manager - Engineering Client

Representative and will focus on engineering design, construction and commissioning of Sumatra?s two-stage production plan at Tembang.

Harding is an employee of Jakarta based PT Como Engineers and will be sub-contracted to Sumatra for the client representative role. He will commence in his new role immediately.

Harding is an extractive metallurgist with more than 25 years experience in the mining industry. He has extensive senior operational, engineering and project management experience in Australia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Ghana, Tanzania and the Philippines.

His strong track record in Indonesia includes client representation to Kingsrose Mining for development of the Way Linggo project in south Sumatra. Grant was also Senior Metallurgist at Newcrest?s Gosowong project during in the project?s start-up phase from 1999 to 2002.

More recently, Grant has also managed the DFS, design and construction of Finders Resources? Wetar Copper project in southwest Maluku, and project managed Avocet Mining?s Bakan Gold project in North Sulawesi.

Sumatra Chief Executive Officer Julian Ford said "Harding?s appointment is a critical factor towards moving Tembang?s high grade Belinau deposit into production. ?Grant has an exceptionally strong record in Indonesia and I am confident that he will be instrumental in developing the project and driving it towards production by early 2013.? (alex)