New Corporate Development Head to support EcoGraf in developing the Epanko graphite project in Tanzania and commercializing the global battery anode business.
EcoGraf brings experienced finance and project manager on board
Australian battery raw material specialist EcoGraf (ASX: EGR; FSE: FMK) reports an important reinforcement in management: The company has appointed John Ciganek as General Manager Corporate Development. The move comes as EcoGraf advances the Epanko graphite project in Tanzania towards construction and phased expansion, while accelerating its HFfree® battery anode material strategy at multiple international locations.
EcoGraf is pursuing a vertically integrated approach along the graphite value chain – from the extraction of natural flake graphite to the production of purified battery anode materials, including for the lithium-ion industry. With the appointment of Ciganek, the company aims to further professionalize its financing, partnership and growth structures and support the implementation of this strategy.
According to EcoGraf, the new manager will be responsible in particular for coordinating the development of Epanko, the planned capacity expansion to become one of the largest graphite producers in Africa, and the expansion of HFfree® downstream activities, and underpinning these with suitable financing and structuring solutions.
Over 30 years of experience: John Ciganek’s profile
John Ciganek brings more than three decades of professional experience in the commodities industry. His career includes senior technical and commercial roles in mining, project finance and management consulting – a profile that is precisely tailored to EcoGraf’s current requirements.
According to company information, Ciganek was involved in raising over AUD 5 billion in strategic financing for commodities projects worldwide during his career. This includes classic project financings, equity rounds, hybrid structures, as well as the negotiation of offtake agreements and strategic investments.
His previous positions include:
- Director at GBA Capital,
- Managing Director and CEO of Vanadium Resources,
- Director at Euclase Capital,
- Executive Director at BurnVoir Corporate Finance,
- Senior Banks Engineer and Risk Executive at Commonwealth Bank,
- as well as senior positions in mining engineering at Hargraves Resources, Reynolds Yilgarn Gold and Comalco / Rio Tinto.
With this combination of technical understanding of deposits and projects, as well as in-depth expertise in financing, risk analysis and strategic partner acquisition, Ciganek will act as a link between project development, the capital market and industrial partners at EcoGraf.
EcoGraf’s Managing Director Andrew Spinks referred in his statement to the “very positive development” of the past year and emphasized that the experience and network of the new manager should support the implementation of the growth plans at Epanko and in the downstream business.
