# Derek La Ferla Non-Executive Chairman ## Career chronology - **Current at 29 October 2026: Valiant Gold** — Non-Executive Chairman. [Investor presentation October 2026]() (PDF p.4, Board & Management) - **November 2019 to 27 October 2023: Poseidon Nickel** — Non-Executive Chairman. [Poseidon Nickel 2023 annual report]() (PDF p.2, chair report) ## Contributions and company outcomes ### Sandfire reached production while La Ferla chaired [la-ferla-sandfire-delivery] FY2013 · issuer reported · medium materiality Sandfire reported FY2013 production of 64,017 tonnes of copper and 42,679 ounces of gold and attainment of 1.5 Mtpa plant nameplate throughput. The same report identifies La Ferla as non-executive chairman. **Attribution:** Role overlaps event; causation unproven. The disclosed chairmanship establishes board oversight overlap, not an individual operational contribution. **Relevance:** Relevant company delivery context for board oversight at a mining restart. [June 2013 quarterly report]() (PDF p.1, production highlights and directors) ## Business failures and setbacks ### Black Swan restart deferred during Poseidon chairmanship [la-ferla-poseidon-delay] July 2023 · issuer reported · medium materiality Poseidon’s chair and managing director reported a July 2023 Black Swan restart deferral, citing weaker nickel and equity markets together with grid power delays, metallurgical assumptions, labour and accommodation constraints. After his departure, Horizon reported completion of the Poseidon merger in 2025; Maritana reported approvals and early works for a Black Swan gold processing hub in October 2026, with first gold still targeted for H2 2027. This later gold project does not establish that the earlier nickel restart occurred. **Attribution:** Role overlaps event; causation unproven. La Ferla was non-executive chair when the board reported its decision. The source does not isolate his individual responsibility; commercial and operating factors are identified by the company. **Relevance:** A material project delivery setback during a prior board oversight role. [Poseidon Nickel 2023 annual report]() (PDF p.2, chairman and managing director report); [June 2025 quarterly activities report]() (PDF p.8, acquisitions and divestments); [Quarterly activities report 30 September 2026]() (Highlights, Black Swan Processing Hub) ## Environmental record ### Gonneville corridor objection under assessment [la-ferla-gonneville] October 2026 · alleged · medium materiality On 26 October 2026 the Shire of Chittering formally objected to Chalice’s proposed Gonneville infrastructure-envelope change, citing mapping, residential and habitat concerns. Chalice’s October update describes an amended corridor and reduced proposed mine-site clearing; its general statement is not a specific response to the Shire’s objection. Consultation remained open at the cutoff. **Attribution:** Role overlaps event; causation unproven. La Ferla chaired Chalice; the Shire’s concerns are submissions for assessment, not established findings of wrongdoing or personal responsibility. **Relevance:** Current environmental and community oversight context. [Gonneville section 43A objection]() (PDF pp.1–3, formal objection); [Gonneville approvals update]() (October 2026 approvals update) ## Suitability for the current role ### Issuer-reported experience relevant to board oversight [val-director-derek-la-ferla-fit] Prior and concurrent roles as described by issuer · analyst inference · medium materiality The issuer describes corporate-law and mining-board experience, including prior chairmanship of Sandfire and the current chairmanship of Chalice. **Attribution:** Responsibility not applicable. Issuer biography describes roles but does not independently establish individual contributions or outcomes. **Relevance:** Background is potentially relevant to board oversight; verification and fuller diligence remain outstanding. [Investor presentation October 2026]() (PDF p.4, Board & Management) ## Evidence gaps - Person-specific topic and indexed regulator searches were performed; some employer outcomes, underlying records, career dates and qualifications remain unverified. - Prior-employer dates and individual responsibility for company outcomes are not established. - A specific signed Chalice response to the Shire’s 26 October corridor objection was not located by the cutoff; the EPA assessment and consultation remained ongoing.