Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse Resigns as Trilogy Metals CEO

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA—Trilogy Metals announced the resignation of Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse as CEO, president, and director of Trilogy Metals. James (Jim) Gowans has been appointed CEO and president on an interim basis.

Van Nieuwenhuyse will remain as a consultant to Trilogy until January 31, 2020 and will assist with transitional matters and with advancing the company’s interests in Alaska.

The Trilogy Metals board of directors thanked Van Nieuwenhuyse for his contributions to the company over the years including the integral role he has played in the development of the Ambler Mining District. In 2004, Van Nieuwenhuyse negotiated the acquisition of the Ambler Mining District assets from Rio Tinto subsidiary, Kennecott Copper. In 2011, he concluded an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation for the Bornite property further consolidating the district and developing a partnership with a leading Alaska Native corporation. Van Nieuwenhuyse built a partnership with the State of Alaska, specifically the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, to promote the development of a road to the Ambler Mining District. That effort culminated recently with the issuance of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project, a proposed 211-mile road that will link the Ambler Mining District to the existing rail and port infrastructure in southcentral Alaska.

Gowans is a director of the company and was President and CEO of Arizona Mining Inc. from 2016 to 2018 when Arizona Mining was purchased by South32 Limited. Previously he was a Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Co-President and EVP and COO at Barrick Gold Corporation from 2014 to 2015. Gowans has extensive experience in Alaska. He completed the feasibility study for the Red Dog Mine, oversaw the design and construction of that mine, and then operated Red Dog for three years after commissioning.

The Board of Directors of the Company will commence a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer shortly.