2024 Chairman's Address
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
27 November 2024
ASX: CRI
2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING –
CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS
Critica Limited (Critica or the Company) is pleased to share the Chairman's Address, to be presented by
Mr. Tim Lindley, ahead of today’s Annual General Meeting.
Chairman’s Address, Mr. Tim Lindley, Chairman of Critica Limited
As we conclude the 2024 year, I am pleased to report on the transformative changes that Critica Limited
has undergone, setting the stage for a focused corporate strategy and renewed leadership. Since my
appointment as Non-Executive Chairman in May, we prioritised a Board refresh, culminating in the
engagement of Nick Cernotta as Non-Executive Director, and an Executive refresh with the board
appointing existing Non-Executive Director, Philippa Leggat, as our Managing Director.
The Board has introduced a focused strategy centred on critical minerals projects with the strongest
potential to create shareholder value in the near to medium term, while gradually rationalising the legacy
portfolio. We are committed to maximising the value of these assets diligently and responsibly for
shareholders over time.
A key outcome of this strategy was the designation of our Jupiter clay-hosted rare-earth discovery (part of
the broader Brothers Project in Western Australia) as Critica’s flagship asset and primary focus moving
forward. The Jupiter Project has seen outstanding drilling results throughout the year, including numerous
record and high-grade intercepts across the 40km2 area. More recently, Critica announced the discovery of
five, large-scale satellite prospects to the east of Jupiter on the broader Brothers project.
Critica has engaged leading geological consultants, SRK Consulting, to prepare the independent maiden
Mineral Resource estimate for Jupiter. Work on this Mineral Resource estimate is in progress. The Company
continues to advance its metallurgical test work.
In line with this strategic focus on critical minerals, we also acquired during the year the full ownership of
Brothers Projects, which includes Jupiter, from our joint venture partner, and completed the sale of the
Riley Iron Ore Mine in Tasmania for $3 million in June.
The Company completed a major equity raise in June 2024 to provide funds to support the Jupiter and the
Brothers Project. The $6 million capital raise was underscored by institutional support, notably,
cornerstone investments were secured from NorthStar Impact Funds committing $2.5 million, and Lion
Selection Group committing $1.0 million. Both institutions maintain their investments and we thank them
and our other investors for their continued support. At this time we also listened to shareholders and
undertook a clean-up of the unmarketable parcels on the register. Looking forward, the capital raise, Share
Purchase Plan and asset sale have put the Company in a strong funding position going into 2025.
The board renewal, management change and strategic update also saw the Company gain approval from
shareholders to change the Company name from Venture Minerals to Critica Limited, embodying the new
company drive and focus.
Critica is dedicated to upholding the high standards of organisational conduct and governance, driven by a
strong commitment to responsible and sustainable development. We believe in time; these core values
will deliver a sustainable comparative advantage that differentiates us from our peers. As part of the
board's commitment to these values, we are pleased to update shareholders that the remediation process
for the Tasmanian assets is underway and in line with our regulatory obligations.
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As we look forward, we are excited about the highly prospective Jupiter and Brothers Projects, as Rare Earth
Elements are highly sought after resources, as they have become extremely important to the global
economy owing to their unique magnetic, phosphorescent, and catalytic properties.
Moreover, in light of the evolving geopolitical and environmental dynamics surrounding critical minerals, a
stable and secure supply of western-sourced REE is a critical ingredient in developing renewable energy
systems and across a wide range of high-tech products around the world. Critica is uniquely positioned
within the Australian government-sponsored Rare Earths ecosystem to capitalise on these opportunities.
I want to thank our shareholders for your continued support. It is an exciting time to be Chairing your
Company, and I look forward to our ongoing success as we embark on this exciting new chapter for Critica.
Tim Lindley
Chairman Critica Limited
This ASX announcement was authorised for release by Mr Tim Lindley, Chairman, for and on behalf of the
Board of Critica Limited.
Contact
Investors:
Philippa Leggat, Managing Director
+61 8 6279 9428
admin@critica.limited
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