Toronto, ON – Thursday, October 31, 2024 – The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI), a global leader in critical minerals advocacy and strategic guidance, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Melissa “Mel” Sanderson as its new Co-Chair. With an illustrious career spanning in geopolitics and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, Mel brings unparalleled expertise and vision to the leadership team at CMI.
Mel’s diplomatic and corporate journey commenced in the US Foreign Service, serving key roles across Latin America, Europe, and Africa from 1985 to 2006. She was pivotal in re-establishing US-DRC relations post-conflict and facilitating the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s first democratic elections in over 40 years. Transitioning to the private sector, Mel served as Director of International Affairs for Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), integrating government relations with sustainable development initiatives.
In 2020, Mel founded Sanderson Consulting LLC, advising companies on sustainable development and ESG+ solutions. She also serves on the board of American Rare Earths Limited (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF), contributing significantly to the strategic direction in the critical minerals sector. Her extensive experience and insights will be instrumental in guiding CMI’s initiatives and enhancing its global impact.
Newly appointed Co-Chair Melissa “Mel” Sanderson commented: “I am deeply honored to step into the role of Co-Chair at the Critical Minerals Institute, where the work of defining and securing sustainable critical minerals solutions is more essential than ever. This role offers an opportunity to bridge the strategic insights of the public and private sectors, fostering collaboration that can genuinely transform our global approach to resource management. I look forward to joining Tracy Hughes and the entire CMI team to continue advancing our mission and making a lasting impact in the critical minerals sector.”
Tracy Hughes, Executive Director of CMI added: “Mel’s comprehensive experience in both diplomatic and corporate roles equips her uniquely to guide CMI through the evolving challenges of the critical minerals industry. Her leadership will be crucial as we enhance our global impact in the sector.”
Melissa Sanderson joins Jack Lifton as Co-Chair, forming part of a distinguished Board of Directors, which includes Executive Director Tracy Hughes. The Board also comprises Directors Alastair Neill, Alister Macdonald, Christopher Berlet, Stephen Burega, Stephen Lautens, Ian Chalmers, Peter Cashin, Peter Clausi, Christopher Gibbs, Harry Kim, Steve Mackowski, Raj Shah, Geoff Atkins, Lara Smith, Russell Fryer, and Tuan Tran.
About Critical Minerals Institute (CMI)
The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is a global organization dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities within the critical minerals sector. It serves as a central hub for businesses, governments, and investors, providing comprehensive resources and insights into the value, sustainability, and strategic importance of critical minerals essential for technological and industrial progress.
CMI’s offerings include exclusive Masterclasses, the weekly Technology Metals Report (TMR) for industry insights, and the annual International Critical Minerals Expo & CMI Summit IV. The upcoming 2025 summit, themed The War for Critical Minerals and Capital Resources, is scheduled to take place in Pasadena, California, on May 14-15. This event aims to unite industry leaders to tackle pressing issues in the global critical minerals market. To secure a CMI Membership, click here For more information on the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI), visit CriticalMineralsInstitute.com or contact Tracy Hughes, CMI Executive Director at [email protected]. To learn more about the CMI Summit IV, please contact Neil Lock, CMI Event Coordinator, at [email protected] or visit CriticalMineralSummit.com. For details about the International Critical Minerals Expo, please contact Alexander Oliver, Event Coordinator at Select Global Events, at [email protected] or go to Mineral-Expo.com.
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