Operation Management Team at Fiji mine site
Yi Huang, General Manager and Chairman of the VGM Limited Fiji
Dr. Yi Huang has over 30 years of experience in mining industry. He joined the company in 2014, serving as Chief Engineer initially and General Manager since 2019. Prior joining the company, Dr. Huang worked for several mining companies including INCO Ltd and Eldorado Gold Corporation, and mining engineering consulting firms including Golder Associates and AMEC. In his extended mining practice, Dr. Yi Huang has accumulated great experience and knowledge in mining operations. Dr. Yi Huang obtained his PhD degree in Mining Engineering from Lulea University, Sweden. He is a registered professional engineer in Ontario, Canada and has the mine manager certificate of Fiji. Dr. Huang is a Canadian citizen.
Dinny Laufenboeck, Corporate Services Manager
Ms. Laufenboeck has decades of experience at VGM Limited in Fiji. She joined the company in 1990 and has served on the boards of VGM Limited as a Director and/or Company Secretary. She holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Business degree from Auckland University, New Zealand. She is a Fijian Citizen.
Onisimo Fonmanu, Mining Manager
Mr. Fonmanu first joined the mine as a young Trainee Manager and successfully completed the programme, after graduation with a National Diploma in Metalliferous Mining from University of South Africa. In 2007, he assumed the role of Surface Mine Manager before joining the Government of Fiji's Mineral Resources Department to expand his knowledge of the regulatory environment in 2011. He returned to VGM Limited in 2017 as OHST Manager and has subsequently taken over the role of Mining Manager with overall responsibility for all surface and underground mining operations. He holds certificate of Mine Manager issued by the Mineral Resources Department of Fiji. Mr. Fonanu is a Fijian citizen.
Xu Tao, Technical Services Manager
Mr. Tao joined the VGM Limited in 2020 as technical service manager. Mr. Tao obtained his Bachelor degree in mining engineering from Taiyuan University of Technology in China and his Master degree in mining engineering from University of Alberta in Canada in 2007. He is registered member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC, Canada. Mr. Tao is a Canadian citizen.
Sanjeev Kumar, Engineering Manager
Mr. Kumar joined VGM Limited in 1997, starting his career at VGM mine’s power plant. He later became maintenance planner for mill, then section foreman and first ever Junior Engineer. He later took responsibilities as Mill Engineer and Mill Manager and is currently has overall responsibility for both surface and underground engineering. Mr. Kumar is qualified with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in Fiji after having served his Apprenticeship in the same field. He has recently achieved an Advanced Diploma in Management (Fiji). Mr. Kumar is a Fijian Citizen
Shabneez Khan, Acting Finance Manager
Miss Khan joined VGML as a Graduate Accountant in 2013 and has been promoted to her current position of Accounting Supervisor in 2020. She graduated from The University of the South Pacific in Fiji with a Bachelor degree in Commerce in Business Studies. She is a Fijian citizen.