Appian Capital Advisory Limited (“Appian”), the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest in companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries, has expanded its technical team with the appointment of two senior underground mining engineers, Alberto Diaz and Gavin Clow.
Highlights
- The appointment of Alberto Diaz and Gavin Clow strengthens Appian’s technical team and underground mining capabilities
- Alberto Diaz joins as Underground Mining Engineering Director; Gavin Clow joins as Senior Underground Mining Engineer
- The two new hires’ underground mining experience and expertise support Appian’s portfolio focus on Rosh Pinah Zinc’s RP2.0 underground expansion and Atlantic Nickel’s transition to underground
As Underground Mining Engineering Director and Senior Underground Mining Engineer, respectively, Alberto Diaz and Gavin Clow will be responsible for the global technical oversight and value optimization of underground mining assets across Appian’s portfolio. They will also support the analysis and evaluation of potential investments in underground projects.
Alberto Diaz is a respected mining executive and technical advisor with more than two decades of global experience across the industry. He brings deep expertise in block-cave and sub-level-cave mining methods and has held Director and Principal Mining Engineer roles at PMD Mining Consulting, as well as serving as Global Practice Lead at Zijin Mining Group. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at WorleyParsons, Barrick Gold, Rio Tinto, and BHP Billiton.
Gavin Clow is an experienced mining engineer who previously served as the Chief Mining Engineer at West Red Lake Gold in Ontario, where he oversaw the restart of the Madsen Mine. Prior to this role, he was Manager of Mining at Optimize Group in Toronto, leading a team of mining engineers and acting as a Qualified Person for underground, managing mine design, geotechnical studies, equipment selection and project costing.
Alberto and Gavin will both support Appian’s current portfolio focus on the Rosh Pinah Zinc RP2.0 underground expansion and Atlantic Nickel’s transition to underground. RP2.0 comprises further underground mine development, as well as the construction of new surface facilities, including a new processing plant, the addition of a paste fill and water treatment plant, and a newly developed portal and decline to extended underground deposits. RP2.0 will almost double the mine’s production output to 170 million lb/year of contained zinc metal. Construction of surface facilities is over 80% complete and remains on budget. Construction completion is expected in Q3 2026, with ramp-up commencing in quick succession.
Appian is also advancing a large, higher-grade underground resource at Atlantic Nickel, extending the initial 8-year open-pit life of mine to over 30 years. In 2024, Atlantic Nickel delivered its Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) for the underground expansion. The PFS further reinforced Appian’s confidence in the project, outlining a long-life mine with a higher annual production rate, low capital intensity, and a competitive cost structure. Atlantic Nickel is advancing this scenario through the ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study, with early underground development work already underway.
Michael Scherb, Founder and CEO of Appian, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Alberto and Gavin to Appian. Their combined underground mining expertise further enhances our technical capabilities and ability to help assets realize their potential and build value for our partners. As Appian continues to advance its underground projects, their experience will play an important role in driving technical excellence and ensuring strong performance across our assets.”
Alberto Diaz, Underground Mining Engineering Director at Appian, commented: “I am thrilled to join Appian at an exciting time for its portfolio. Appian’s focus on technically robust, long-life underground assets aligns ideally with my focus and experience in advancing efficient, safe, and innovative mining practices. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of projects like Rosh Pinah Zinc and Atlantic Nickel, and to supporting Appian’s commitment to creating value through best-in-class operational performance.”
Gavin Clow, Senior Underground Mining Engineer at Appian, commented: “Appian’s technical-driven investment strategy and hands-on, value-add approach to supporting its portfolio made this an appealing role from an engineering perspective. I look forward to applying my underground mining experience, working alongside Appian’s talented team, to unlock further operational improvements and growth opportunities.”
For further information
Appian Capital Advisory Limited
Andrew Todd, Head of Communications: +44 7990416759 / [email protected]
+44 (0)20 7004 0951 / [email protected]
About Appian Capital Advisory Limited
Appian Capital Advisory Limited is the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest in companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries.
Appian is a leading investment advisor with global experience across South America, North America, Australia and Africa and a successful track record of supporting companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries to achieve their development targets, with a global operating portfolio overseeing approximately 6,000 employees.
Appian has a global team of over 100 experienced investment professionals, combining financial and technical expertise, with presences in Abu Dhabi, Belo Horizonte, Dubai, Hong Kong, Lima, London, New York, Perth, São Paulo, and Toronto. For more information, please visit www.appiancapitaladvisory.com or find us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter/X.
