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Passport Potash Announces the Appointment of
Director and Chairman of the Board
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Passport
Potash Inc. (�Passport� or the "Company") (TSX-V: PPI.V - News)(OTCQX: PPRTF.PK - News) is pleased to announce the
appointment of David J. Salisbury as a Director and Chairman of its Board of
Directors.
Mr. Salisbury has had an extensive career in the mining industry, spanning four
decades, including seventeen years with Rio Tinto plc
(�Rio Tinto�). During his career he has had experience in almost all
phases of mine development and operation, including: operating and
capital budget development, operating cost control, product quality,
profit/loss analysis, engineering, safety, field operations and maintenance,
strategic planning, environmental compliance, market development, merger and acquisition
analysis, employee relations, community relations, public relations and
government relations at both the state and federal levels.
Mr. Salisbury was President and CEO of Resolution Copper Mining (�Resolution�)
from 2008 to his retirement on January 31, 2011. At Resolution he was
responsible for the development of a deep underground copper mine in Superior,
Arizona. One of his primary responsibilities was a legislative land
exchange involving 3025 acres of federal land in exchange for 5500 acres of ecologically
important private land. His role at Resolution required significant
interaction and engagement with members of the U. S. Congress, federal
agencies, the Governor of the State of Arizona and State legislators. He
was also responsible for leading the activities of integrating all engineering
studies and design with environmental permitting, progressive development of
the future operations culture and working environment, health and safety,
project budget controls and community relations.
From 2006 through 2008, Mr. Salisbury was President and CEO of Kennecott
Minerals Company, where he was responsible for the comprehensive management of
underground operations in Juneau, Alaska; open cut/heap leach gold in Nevada;
and the development and construction of an underground nickel operation in
Michigan.
Mr. Salisbury was a leader for the Rio Tinto global improvement program,
Improving Performance Together, from 2004 through 2006. He led one of
four major streams of work aimed at bringing about radical change in the way
Rio Tinto conducts business. This responsibility covered the engineering
and operation of processing operations at all Rio Tinto operations and involved
leading a team of eight general managers and managers in diagnosing current state,
formulating solutions, implementing pilot trials and ultimately rolling out
change across the global group.
Mr. Salisbury was Managing Director and CEO of R�ssing
Uranium Ltd. from 2001 through 2004. The R�ssing
mine employed 1200 people and produces U3O8 for the
global nuclear fuel industry, representing 8% of the global primary
supply. During his tenure the mine achieved its historical best safety
performance while increasing production with a staff decreased by 33%.
While with Rio Tinto, Mr. Salisbury also held Senior Executive positions with
Kennecott Ridgeway Mining Company and Kennecott Energy Company.
Prior to joining Rio Tinto Mr. Salisbury was the President of Cordero Mining
Company/Sun Coal Company (1992 to 1993) and responsible for the operation of
the Cordero Mine, the seventh largest coal mine in the United States. At
Cordero he completed a major organizational restructuring to reduce cost and
improve efficiency, dropping operating costs by 10%.
Mr. Salisbury served as President and COO of the Al Hamilton Operating
Company/Bradford Coal Company (1990 to 1992) where he was responsible for the
operation of 9 active mines in a 30 mile radius of Clearfield PA. During
his tenure he improved the financial performance of this operation and was able
to bring it into profitability.
From 1989 to 1990 Mr. Salisbury served as President of The Coteau
Properties Company/North American Coal Corporation where he was responsible for
the construction, management and operation of a 12 million tons per year surface
lignite mine near Beulah, North Dakota. The Coteau
Properties Company/North American Coal Corporation had annual sales of 86
million US dollars to the only commercial coal gasification plant in the United
States. Mr. Salisbury administered a 20 year contract with the sole coal
customer, and negotiated a new contract extension adding a new coal field and
additional production up to 16 million tons per year.
Mr. Salisbury served in various management positions with The Coteau Properties Company/North American Coal Corporation
from 1978 through 1989. He was the project manager responsible for the
oversight of design, contract administration and construction management of the
Freedom Mine, a greenfield mine facility valued at 186
million dollars. The project was completed on time and under budget.
Mr. Salisbury noted, �It is with great enthusiasm and a commitment to success
that I approach this opportunity of adding my experience to that of Passport�s
excellent management team. I look forward to building on the strong
foundation of accomplishments demonstrated by Passport
Potash Inc.�
�We are thrilled to have someone of Mr. Salisbury�s caliber joining us as
Chairman of Passport�s Board of Directors. There are few mining
executives who can match the breadth of Mr. Salisbury�s experience or his
record of success in the mining industry,� commented Passport�s President and
CEO Joshua Bleak.
Furthermore, the Company announces that it has received notice of resignation
from Gary F. Zak as a director of the Company. The Board of Directors
would like to thank Mr. Zak for his services. Mr. Zak will continue his
involvement with the Company as a member of Passport�s advisory board.