David Strang + Noel Dunn
PRESIDENT AND CEO+ EXECUTIVE CHAIR, ERO COPPER CORP.
They say friendship and business don't mix, but don't tell that to David Strang and Noel Dunn. The two pals had wanted to work together for years, but the right opportunity didn't materialize. That changed in 2016, when Brazilian copper company Mineração Caraíba became available for acquisition, just as Strang was stepping down as president and CEO of Lumina Copper Corp. after it was purchased by fellow Vancouver company First Quantum Minerals. Dunn resigned as managing director of Boston-based Liberty Metals & Mining Holdings to raise capital, and Ero Copper Corp. was born.
Two years into their run with Vancouverbased Ero, the pair have added another mine and overseen a production increase from 16,000 tonnes in 2016 to a projected 28,000 this year, with a forecast of 40,000 tonnes in 2019. The key to their success, according to Strang, is that he and Dunn are “literally yin and yang.” Strang brings the technical experience, while Dunn has a wealth of knowledge in finance and risk management. Plus, says Dunn, “We surround ourselves with people who are way smarter than we are.”
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? I was a serious track athlete after I graduated college, and retired after the 1996 Olympic Games