Sunrise Energy Metals Names John Mullumby as CFO to Propel Syerston Scandium Project Progress

John Mullumby’s Extensive Resources and Financial Leadership Experience

John Mullumby brings a wealth of experience from over 25 years in finance and commercial roles within the resources sector and professional services. His latest role was CFO at Gold Road Resources Limited, where he led financial operations through the company’s acquisition by Gold Fields Limited. This demonstrates his proficiency in managing major corporate transactions and steering financial leadership during transformational phases, aligning with Sunrise’s development objectives.

Before Gold Road, Mullumby spent more than seven years at Newcrest Mining Limited, one of Australia’s largest gold producers, in senior commercial and operational leadership positions. His work spanned the Melbourne Head Office and the Lihir Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea, one of the world’s longest-life gold mines. This blend of operational and corporate experience equips him with deep insight into the financial and practical challenges of managing large-scale mining projects in remote areas.

Global Mining and Industrial Operations Expertise Bolstering Strategic Expansion

Prior to Newcrest, Mullumby held senior development and finance roles at Nyrstar, an international industrial and critical minerals producer, operating in the United States and Switzerland. This global exposure equips him to navigate international markets for critical minerals such as scandium and cobalt-nickel, which are central to Sunrise’s project portfolio. His background in critical minerals production aligns directly with Sunrise’s focus on high-grade scandium and cobalt-rich laterite deposits.

Earlier in his career, Mullumby spent over a decade with Deloitte in Australia and the UK, specializing in corporate finance, transaction services, post-merger integration, bid defense, IPOs, due diligence, restructuring, and cost-reduction initiatives. This extensive professional services experience underpins his expertise in complex financial structuring, capital markets, and operational efficiency improvements—all critical to advancing the Syerston Scandium Project.

Academic and Professional Credentials Supporting Financial Governance

Mullumby is a qualified Australian Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the University of Melbourne. These qualifications complement his technical skills in financial reporting, governance, and strategic financial planning.

His combination of formal accounting credentials, university education, and extensive practical experience positions him to effectively contribute to Sunrise’s financial and strategic development.

Trevor Eton’s Transition and Impact as CFO

Trevor Eton has served as Sunrise Energy Metals’ CFO since September 2024, overseeing financial management during a critical development phase. Managing Director Sam Riggall praised Eton’s role, stating, "Trevor has played an important role in positioning Sunrise for its next phase of growth."

Eton will remain with the company as a Non-Executive Director, ensuring continued access to his corporate expertise and institutional knowledge at the board level. This planned succession approach maintains governance continuity while introducing new executive financial leadership.

Enhancing Management for Syerston Scandium Project Delivery

Sunrise Energy Metals is progressing the Syerston Scandium Project near Fifield, central-west New South Wales, aiming to deliver the world’s first mineable, high-grade scandium source. The project contains one of the largest and highest-grade scandium deposits globally, supported by extensive piloting, metallurgical testing, and engineering work. The scandium oxide produced will serve key technology sectors such as fuel cells, advanced aluminum alloys, and semiconductors, driving significant market demand.

Managing Director Sam Riggall emphasized that Mullumby’s appointment "further strengthens Sunrise’s management team as we continue to build the organisational and financial capability required to deliver the Syerston Scandium Project." This highlights the company’s commitment to developing robust management and financial structures to support upcoming engineering, permitting, and production phases.

Critical Minerals Portfolio and Nickel-Cobalt Project

In addition to Syerston, Sunrise Energy Metals owns the Sunrise Nickel-Cobalt Project, noted as one of the world’s largest and most cobalt-rich nickel laterite deposits. This dual-asset portfolio places the company firmly within the critical minerals sector, supplying essential materials for energy transition technologies including batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy infrastructure. The geographic and commodity diversification offers strategic exposure to multiple critical mineral markets.

Appointing a CFO with extensive commercial and operational leadership experience in global mining and critical minerals underscores Sunrise’s recognition of the complexity involved in managing a diversified portfolio of advanced mineral projects. Mullumby’s proven track record across commodities, geographies, and operational scales aligns with the demands of Sunrise’s asset base.

Governance and Board Continuity Strategy

Trevor Eton’s shift from CFO to Non-Executive Director ensures governance continuity while introducing fresh executive leadership in the financial role. This structure preserves Eton’s institutional knowledge and corporate insight developed during his tenure, while enabling Mullumby to lead the company’s financial functions. Non-Executive Directors provide oversight without daily executive responsibilities.

Sam Riggall noted, "The Company will continue to benefit from his experience and corporate knowledge as a member of the Board," reflecting a deliberate retention strategy to support board-level decision-making and governance.

Market Environment for Scandium and Critical Minerals

This appointment comes amid growing global emphasis on critical minerals supply chains vital for energy transition and advanced technologies. Scandium, though rare in production, is increasingly valued for applications in high-performance aluminum alloys, fuel cells, and semiconductor manufacturing. Sunrise is positioning itself to meet emerging demand in these markets.

Bringing on a CFO with international resources experience and critical minerals expertise signals the company’s awareness of the technological and commercial challenges in bringing a high-grade scandium deposit to production. Mullumby’s background in managing regulatory, operational, and commercial complexities across jurisdictions and commodities equips him well for these challenges.