Reed’s Tonkin moves to Silver Lake

Former Reed Resources and Mount Gibson Iron boss Luke Tonkin has joined Silver Lake Resources as director of operations, from today.

Mr Tonkin has also joined the board of the Western Australian gold miner, as an executive director.

Mr Tonkin tendered his resignation as managing director of Reed Resources at the end of August, just 14 months into his tenure, after the struggling gold miner detailed $70 million of asset impairments and placed its Meekatharra operations into the hands of administrators.

Before his time at Reed, Mr Tonkin had a seven-year stint as managing director of Mount Gibson Iron.

He has also held senior management roles at WMC Resources and Sons of Gwalia, and is a past chairman of the WA School of Mines advisory board.

At Silver Lake, Mr Tonkin will be responsible for the coordination and optimisation of operational synergies between the company's Murchison and Mount Monger operations, and for assessing Silver Lake's project pipeline, which includes the Great Southern project near Ravensthorpe and the Copper Lakes project south of Newman.

Silver Lake chairman Paul Chapman said the company was pleased to welcome Mr Tonkin to the board.

‘‘Luke's operational and corporate expertise will further complement our strong range of board skills," he said.

Silver Lake Resources is currently the 11th largest gold miner in WA based on annual production for the 2012-13 financial year, according to BNIQ research.

Mr Tonkin has signed up to an annual remuneration package of $400,000, exclusive of superannuation (to be paid at 12 per cent) and fringe benefits.