Simpson takes over from CEO and executive chairman Peter Hutchinson, who will remain as executive chairman during the transition period.

Geoff Laing has been formally appointed as MD of Exco Resources.

Laing had been acting CEO since August when former boss Michael Anderson resigned.

Sinclair Knight Merz appointed Phil Lory as its new general manager to head the company’s mining and metals business, following the appointment of former general manager, Santo Rizzuto, to the role of CEO.

Lory was formerly SKM’s area manager, Asia Pacific, and replaces Santo Rizzuto, who was recently promoted to CEO.

Reed Resources has secured former Equigold and Strike Resources chief financial officer David Lim as its new CFO.

The company has also appointed former Tanami Gold metallurgy manager Geoffrey Chong as processing manager and Kenneth Fairless as maintenance superintendant ahead of first production from the Meekatharra gold project.

Iron ore hopeful Pluton Resources has appointed Murchison Metals project director Brett Clark as chief development officer.

Stephen Stone has resigned as a director of Avalon Minerals.

Paul Thomas has resigned as a director of Scandinavian Resources, where he sat as a representative of shareholder OM Holdings.

Meanwhile, Canada-based director John McManus has resigned from the board of ENK.

Peter Webse has replaced Alistair Croll on the board of Blina Diamonds.

Robert McDonald has resigned as a director of KBL Mining.

Emerging iron ore producer IronClad Mining has made four management appointments for the Wilcherry Hill project.

Ian McRae has been appointed as operations manager, Chris Mroczek has been appointed chief geologist, Denis O’Callaghan has been appointed as mine superintendent and Daryl Gray has been appointed as logistics manager.

Gold One International has appointed Hartley Dikgale as senior vice president-general counsel and Grant Stuart as VP-investor relations.

Both were formerly with Rand Uranium, which Gold One is acquiring for $US250 million ($A242.2 million).

Brendan Borg has joined Lithex Resources as exploration manager.

Finally, Scott Mison has replaced Ross Arancini as company secretary of BrightStar Resources.