John Cotter
– Managing Director and Executive Chairman

John has over 20 years’ experience in major projects across Australia and is a recognised expert in the field of infrastructure planning.

John is a seed investor in North West Phosphate and has continued to fund its development due to his commitment to improving fertilisers for farming regions across Queensland and Australia.

 

Ben Paxton-Hall

– Operations Director

Ben is an operations, government, regulatory, and stakeholder affairs specialist with over five years' experience in both the public and private sectors. Having worked across a host of highly regulated industries including mining and resources, Ben offers unique expertise streamlining operations and delivering desired outcomes.

Prior to joining North West Phosphate, Ben held roles in government and private enterprise across Brisbane, Sydney, and Canberra.

 

Kevin McAlpine
– Construction & Mining Manager

Kevin is an experienced executive with 25+ years’ experience across construction, mining, & energy sectors both domestically and internationally. Kevin has acted in roles including General Manager at QCoal and Thiess and a founder of energy infrastructure company Entrada Group LLC. He also with extensive major project delivery experience for companies including Leighton Contractors, John Holland Group and McConnell Dowell. Kevin is also a qualified arbitrator.

Kevin has been involved in the development of a number of mining operations throughout his career. He was born in the gold fields in South Africa, then worked as an undergraduate engineer on the Rosebery Zinc mine in Tasmania, then managing construction projects on the Solomon Iron Ore project in WA and Prominent Hill mine in South Australia, to leading the design and construction of the Jax, Drake and Byerwen Mines in QLD. Recently Kevin completed the construction of the $600 million, 208km greenfield rail project connecting Bravus Mining Carmichael Coal mine to the existing QLD rail network.

 

Madeline Simmonds
– Stakeholder Relations

Madeline is an influential and deliberative communicator with high levels of experience in tactical stakeholder and partnerships management. She has more than 10 years experience in managing and developing relationships with key stakeholders within the Government and private sector.

Madeline has formerly held roles where she oversaw the development and execution of advocacy engagement strategies for peak body clients and has led communication campaigns for a range of resource, health and property companies. She has been a Policy Advisor to the Premier of Queensland and a Federal Government Minister.

 

Michelle Mercieca
– Geologist

Michelle has significant experience with the Paradise Phosphate project having been involved with the project between 2008 and 2015 as the Senior Project Geologist. Between 2008 and 2011, she was based in Mount Isa to supervise the resource definition drilling and sampling for metallurgical test work.

 

Adam Teague
– Metallurgist

Adam has significant experience with the Paradise Phosphate project, having been the Metallurgy Manager between 2009 and 2013. During this time Adam was responsible for managing the development of the beneficiation process, including 10 tonne per day pilot plant and DFS detailed design.