APPOINTMENT OF MANAGING DIRECTOR, SOUTH CROFTY
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APPOINTMENT OF MANAGING DIRECTOR, SOUTH CROFTY
14 September 2026
Cornish Metals plc (AIM: TIN) (“Cornish Metals” or the “Company”), a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its wholly owned and permitted South Crofty tin project in Cornwall, United Kingdom, announces the appointment of Juan Kemp as Managing Director, South Crofty, with effect from 14 September 2026.
Mr Kemp will lead the project and operational delivery of South Crofty, with responsibility for mining, processing, safety and overall business performance. He will be based at South Crofty and report to Don Turvey, Chief Executive Officer.
The appointment strengthens the Company’s operational leadership as South Crofty progresses from construction towards operational readiness, with surface & underground development and workforce training progressing in parallel.
About Juan Kemp
Mr Kemp has over 30 years’ experience in the mining industry, spanning operational and executive leadership, underground mining, mineral processing and technical leadership. He began his career with AngloGold in 1994 before joining De Beers in 1998, where he was appointed as Plant Manager in 2001.
He joined Petra Diamonds in 2005 and held a number of senior operational and executive positions, including General Manager of Cullinan Diamond Mine from 2011, Chief Technical Officer from 2019 and Operations Executive from 2024. In February 2025, he was appointed Joint Chief Executive Officer of Petra Diamonds, with responsibility for the Group’s operations, a position he held until May 2026 when he stepped down.
Since 2011, Juan was responsible for all mine operations and capital projects, including a R6 billion (approximately £275 million) underground block-cave expansion and the construction of a new R2 billion (approximately £90 million) processing plant, which was delivered on time and within budget.
Mr Kemp holds a degree in Metallurgical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from North-West University.
Don Turvey, CEO of Cornish Metals, commented:
“As South Crofty continues to advance towards production, strengthening our operational capability and building the right team to operate the mine safely and efficiently is an important part of our development. Juan brings more than 30 years of underground mining and metallurgical experience, with a strong track record across operational and technical leadership, and I am delighted to welcome him to the Cornish Metals team.
“His appointment comes at an important stage for South Crofty as we progress the plant construction and mine development alongside preparations for future operations. Juan will play a key role in building our operational readiness, embedding strong safety and operating standards, and importantly developing a skilled workforce from the talent pool in Cornwall and beyond as we move towards production.”
Juan Kemp, Managing Director of South Crofty, commented:
“I am privileged to be joining Cornish Metals and to lead South Crofty at such an important stage in its development. We have an exciting opportunity to build on South Crofty’s remarkable heritage and develop a modern, safe and responsible mining operation that Cornwall can be proud of.
“My focus will be on our people and disciplined delivery – progressing the project safely, building operational readiness and developing a high-performing local team. I look forward to working with Don, the Cornish Metals team and the people of Cornwall to make South Crofty a successful and sustainable operation.”
ABOUT CORNISH METALS
Cornish Metals is a mineral exploration and development company that is advancing the South Crofty critical mineral project towards production. South Crofty:
- is a historical underground tin mine located in Cornwall, United Kingdom and benefits from existing mine infrastructure, including multiple shafts that can be used for future operations;
- is the highest grade known tin Mineral Resource not in production, with significant near-mine and regional Mineral Resource potential;
- is permitted to commence underground mining (valid to 2071), construct a new processing facility and for all necessary site infrastructure;
- is expected to produce approximately 4,700 tonnes of tin-in-concentrate annually in the first five years of full production at lowest-quartile all-in sustaining costs over an initial 14-year mine life;
- will be a low environmental impact underground mine with zero surface tailings;
- would potentially be the first primary producer of tin in Europe or North America. Tin is a Critical Mineral as defined by the UK, American and Canadian governments, as it is used in almost all electronic devices and electrical infrastructure. Approximately two-thirds of the tin mined today comes from China, Myanmar and Indonesia;
- benefits from strong local community, regional and national government support, with a growing team of skilled people local to Cornwall, and could generate over 300 direct jobs;
- is an opportunity for a secure domestic supply of tin in the UK, supporting a low carbon economy.
ENDS
Engage with us directly at our investor hub. Sign up at: https://investors.cornishmetals.com/link/PB5oJr
For additional information please contact:
| Cornish Metals | Fawzi Hanano Emily Allhusen | investors@cornishmetals.com info@cornishmetals.com Tel: +44 1209 715 777 |
| SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Adviser) | Charlie Bouverat Adam Cowl Ewan Leggat | Tel: +44 203 470 0470 |
| Berenberg (Joint Broker) | Jennifer Lee Ivan Briechle | Tel: +44 20 3753 3040 |
| Peel Hunt (Joint Broker) | Ross Allister David McKeown | Tel: +44 20 7418 8900 |
| BlytheRay (Financial PR) | Tim Blythe Megan Ray Said Izagaren | cornishmetals@blytheray.com Tel: +44 207 138 3204 |
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