In Episode 119 of the No Limitations podcast Sitting Under the Mango Tree, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Jeff Quartermaine, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Perseus Mining Ltd, one of the largest gold mining companies listed in Australia with major mine sites in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sudan.

In an insightful discussion, Jeff opens with his views on the appeal of mining as a career today. He touches on the challenges of managing operations in Africa, such as political risks and civil unrest, as well as making deals with local chiefs under the mango tree. Jeff emphasises the importance of maintaining a social licence to operate and doing good by local communities and other stakeholders. Jeff shares his thoughts on nations, such as Russia, China and the United States, jostling for influence in the region. Jeff also explains his core leadership philosophy, his major achievements at Perseus Mining and the values he looks for in hiring team members. Growing up in Far North Queensland, Jeff discusses the start of his career as an engineer and his rise through the ranks in the mining industry in Australia. Jeff also speaks about a number of other topics including, but not limited to, surviving COVID-19, the virtues of nuclear energy in Australia, and the value he gained from his MBA.

Jeff was appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Perseus Mining Ltd in 2013, having previously served as Chief Financial Officer. Early in his career, realising an affinity for the mining industry, Jeff became General Manager at Niugini Mining with operations in Papua New Guinea. After a short tenure in corporate finance, Jeff then moved into his first executive role as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Orogen Minerals Ltd. He was also Chief Financial Officer at MediVac Ltd. More recently, and prior to Perseus Mining, Jeff held further senior roles in the mining industry, including as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at Lafayette Mining Ltd and at TriAusmin Ltd respectively.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 3 May 2023.