Christie’s responsibilities include working with senior staff to progress the Vancouver-based operator’s Carbon Creek project from its preliminary economic assessment phase through the completion of a feasibility study ahead of its mine permit application submission next year.

The longtime senior executive and mine development professional has worked in both underground and surface operations ranging from simple to the most complex deposits. These include five underground and open pit mines in South Africa and the 32 million tonne per annum Cerrejon open pit mine in Colombia.

The University of Natal and University of Witwatersrand, South Africa graduate was most recently the manager of strategy and resources for Anglo Coal/Peace River Coal.

Cardero officials said his prior experience with multi-seam metallurgical coal deposits would benefit it going forward, as the Carbon Creek complex anticipated mining and blending several seams.

Christie said he believed the Carbon Creek deposit was a valuable metallurgical coal asset proving itself to be one of the largest contiguous deposits in the Peace River region.

“I am looking forward to developing this unique deposit so that we can realize its significant potential,” he said.