TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals Corp., the developer of the K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, has appointed Gavin Horscroft as Operations Manager and Sean Thijsse as Vice President of Corporate Development.
Horscroft brings over 40 years of experience in the African mining, metallurgical, and minerals processing sectors.
His extensive background includes project leadership across various base metal operations on the continent.
He previously served as Projects Director at several African mining ventures and held senior roles at Impala Platinum and AngloGold Ashanti, where he was Senior Vice President overseeing operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A chemical engineer by training, Horscroft is well-versed in base and precious metals processing and hydrometallurgy.
He has led the design and implementation of complex process flowsheets through lab-scale and pilot plant development programs.
His expertise will be pivotal as Giyani completes commissioning of its demonstration plant and advances toward the construction of the commercial facility.
Thijsse, who joined Giyani in January as Head of Corporate Development, has now been promoted to VP.
He previously worked with The Pallinghurst Group, a private equity firm focused on sustainable energy transition materials.
Thijsse brings a solid background in corporate finance, capital raising, project evaluation, and financing.
Since joining the company, Thijsse has played a key role in developing Giyani’s offtake strategy and engaging with strategic funding partners, the company said.
“I am delighted to welcome Gavin Horscroft as Operations Manager. His impressive track record and technical knowledge will be crucial as we optimise the demo plant, complete the definitive feasibility study, and move toward commercial plant construction,” said Giyani President and CEO Charles FitzRoy.
He also praised Thijsse’s contributions, adding: “His appointment as VP of Corporate Development comes at a strategic time, especially as we ramp up funding efforts following first production of battery-grade manganese at our demo plant in Johannesburg.”
FitzRoy concluded that the new appointments reflect Giyani’s transformation as it advances toward commercial production and key project milestones.
