Murchison Metals Limited - Appoints Wayne Zekulich As Chief Financial Officer Of Oakajee Port And Rail

12:01 AEST Jan 31, 2011 ABN Newswire (C) 2004-2011 Asia Business News PL. All Rights Reserved.

Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) - Murchison Metals Limited (ASX: MMX) (PINK: MUMTF) (Murchison) is pleased to announce that Wayne Zekulich has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Oakajee Port & Rail (OPR), developer of port and rail infrastructure for the mining industry in Western Australia's mid-west. OPR is jointly owned by Murchison and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd.

Mr Zekulich previously worked with Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) as Executive Vice President WA, SA and NT-Institutional Bank and Markets. His appointment is effective 14 February 2011.

He will be responsible for the financial management of the development of port and rail infrastructure, including overseeing the finalisation of banking facilities that will underpin the project.

Mr Zekulich has extensive experience in financing and capital markets, covering advice on mergers and acquisitions, arranging and underwriting funding for greenfield project financings, privatisations and major acquisitions.

Before joining Commonwealth Bank in 2006, Mr Zekulich was head of the Perth office of NM Rothschild & Sons for four years. Prior to Rothschild, he was at Deutsche Bank (ETR: DBK) (NYSE: DB) for five years as a Director and Head of Perth with responsibilities for origination and execution.

Mr Zekulich holds a Bachelor of Business Degree, is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Finance and Treasury Association Limited. He is a Member of the Council of Celebrate WA and a Committee member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA Business Policy Forum.

Murchison Executive Chairman Paul Kopejtka said Mr Zekulich's appointment represented a major boost to the OPR executive team as the port and rail project moves towards the funding and construction stages.

'Wayne brings to OPR a wealth of experience and proven track record in areas that are key to OPR's success in the months and years ahead,' said Mr Kopejtka.

'We believe Wayne will make a great contribution to the development of OPR's projects and we look forward to a long and rewarding association.'


About Murchison Metals Limited:

Murchison is an Australian ASX-listed company and is included in the S&P/ASX 200 Index.

Murchison is a 50% shareholder in Crosslands Resources Ltd ('Crosslands') which is the owner of the Jack Hills iron ore project located in the mid-west region of Western Australia. The remaining 50% of Crosslands is held by Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd ('Mitsubishi'), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan's largest general trading company.

The Stage 1 Jack Hills project is currently producing up to 1.8 Mt of high grade iron ore per annum. Feasibility studies for a major Stage 2 expansion are well advanced.

In addition, Murchison has a 50% economic interest in independent infrastructure business, Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR). The remaining 50% economic interest in OPR is held by Mitsubishi. OPR's integrated port and rail development proposal will provide world class logistics services to miners (including Crosslands) and other potential customers in the mid-west region of WA.

In addition to its investments in Crosslands and OPR, Murchison is actively exploring growth opportunities in iron ore, coal and manganese in accordance with its approved corporate strategy.



Contact:

Paul Kopejtka
Executive Chairman
Murchison Metals Ltd
Tel: +61-8-9492-2600

John Phaceas
Manager External Relations
Murchison Metals
Tel: +61-8-9492-2600
Mob: +61-411-449-621

Email: info@mml.net.au
http://www.mml.net.au