James Johnson

GENERAL MANAGER, DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS
BE Hons (Mech)

James has over 20 years of experience in the Australian coal mining industry and is highly experienced in underground coal.  Starting his career at the coal face James has held several key management positions including Engineering Manager and Production Manager during the construction and production ramp up of Glencore’s Ulan West Underground mine. Prior to joining Malabar in 2019, James was the Operations Manager at Glencore’s Ulan Underground mine. As General Manager James is committed to developing and leading safe and efficient operations.

A Fitter by trade, James also holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical – Honours Class 1) from the University of Newcastle, Australia, and industry-recognised qualifications including Mining Engineering Manager and Mechanical Engineering Manager Certificates of Competency for NSW Coal.

James is also a member of the Company’s Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee.

Paul Verner

HEAD OF FINANCE
BBus, MAppFin

Paul has more than 15 years of accounting, finance, and resources experience. Prior to joining Malabar, he was the Group Treasurer at Whitehaven Coal Limited and was responsible for raising the capital to fund the Narrabri Underground and Maules Creek coal mines. Paul gained previous accounting and finance experience at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Allco Financial Group, and Babcock & Brown Limited.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney and a Masters of Applied Finance from Macquarie University.

Paul is also a member of the Company’s Board and Audit Committees.

William (Bill) Dean

GENERAL MANAGER - PROJECTS

Bill has over 35 years’ experience in the Australian mining industry, encompassing senior site management, support and technical roles. He is Civil Engineering graduate of Deakin University, holds statutory Certificates of Competency for Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales, is a Chartered Professional Engineer and a Member of AusIMM.

Bill has broad experience in the coal industry and has held senior operational roles with Coal and Allied and Excel Coal. He has extensive project experience including approvals, development of open cut and underground operations, plus rail and CHPP construction. Also he has led structural change within existing operations, plus managed feasibility and pre-feasibility studies for range of organisations including Whitehaven Coal, Xstrata Coal, Cobbora Coal and Idemitsu.