Leadership Shakeup at Hot Chili Signals Strategic Shift Before Key Feasibility Study

Leadership Boost at a Critical Juncture

Hot Chili Limited (ASX: HCH) has taken a decisive step to reinforce its executive and board capabilities by appointing two highly experienced mining professionals, Stuart Mathews and Alberto Cerda. These appointments come at a pivotal moment as the company prepares to advance its flagship Costa Fuego copper-gold project in Chile through the Definitive Feasibility Studies (DFS) phase.

Mathews, a seasoned mining executive with over 32 years of experience across Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Chile, has been named Non-Executive Chair. His background includes senior leadership roles at Fields Gold and Gold Fields, where he oversaw operations delivering more than one million ounces of gold annually. His expertise in managing large-scale mining projects and strategic growth initiatives is expected to provide strong governance and strategic oversight for Hot Chili.

Deep Chilean Expertise Joins Project Leadership

Joining the executive team as Project Director, Alberto Cerda brings over 40 years of mining industry experience, predominantly within Chile’s complex mining landscape. Cerda’s career spans leadership roles at major mining companies such as CODELCO, Barrick, Newmont, and BHP, with a focus on mine operations, metallurgical processes, and project development. His intimate knowledge of Chilean mining operations and governance will be invaluable as Hot Chili navigates the technical and regulatory challenges of advancing Costa Fuego.

The Costa Fuego project, located along Chile’s coastal range at low elevation, is a significant copper-gold development poised to become a mid-tier producer. These appointments signal Hot Chili’s commitment to bolstering its leadership with proven industry veterans who understand the intricacies of mining in Chile and can drive the project through its final investment stages.

Strategic Implications for Hot Chili

By integrating Mathews and Cerda into its governance and project execution framework, Hot Chili is positioning itself to better manage the complexities of project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence. Their combined experience across exploration, development, and production phases enhances the company’s capacity to meet upcoming milestones and investor expectations.

While the announcement does not provide explicit details on how these appointments will affect project timelines or financial outcomes, it underscores a strategic focus on strengthening leadership ahead of critical feasibility studies. Market watchers will be keen to see how this enhanced expertise translates into progress updates and eventual production guidance.