Rafael Araújo, Chairman of BoD and President, Autoridade Nacional dos Minerais

Rafael de Araújo started his career in the field of [email protected] in 2010 when he graduated from the Bachelor of Geoscience at the Institut TeknologiAdhi Tama Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. At the early stages of his career, Rafael de Araújo actively participated in different organizations, where he learns to develop his leadership skills as the leader of youth organizations.

In 2012, Rafael de Araújo receives SERN – Fulbright scholarship to continue his master’s degree in Geological Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Missouri, USA. Upon his return to the country, in 2015, Rafael deAraújo joined the Instituto do Petróleo e Geologia(IPG) as geologist for Landslide and at the same time he serves as an instructor in one of Timor Leste’s universities, lecturing geological engineering.

In 2015, Rafael de Araújo formed a consulting firm, providing services pertaining to the mitigation of landslide as well as offering services on preparing mining proposal and environmental related documents for different companies operating in the extraction of sand and gravel in the territory of Timor Leste. Rafael de Araújo joined Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo e Minerais (ANPM) in 20216 and served as Manager for Mineral Exploration and Exploitation.

In 2020 Rafael de Araújo was selected for the Director for Mineral Technical and Operation through a competitive test; Rafael de Araújo’s main responsibilities were to manage the mineral technical operations under Mineral Directorate within the ANPM.

On September 2023, Rafael de Araújo was appointed by the Government of Timor Leste to lead Government public institution namely the Autoridade Nacional dos Minerais (ANM). Rafael deAraújo serves as the President of the regulatory authority body as well as the Chairman of the Board of Director of ANM.

In addition, Rafael de Araújo has sets of understanding on Timor Leste’s geological condition as well as Timor Leste’s legal frameworks in the mining sector. November 2023 appointed as the ASSOM representative for Timor-Leste by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. December 2023appointed as the Permanent Representative for the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) and Timor Leste formally became 83rd member of IGF in February 202. And March 2024appointed as deputy representative for the CCOP(Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia)

For more than ten years of serving as a public servant has enabled him to face challenges and opportunities on the development of mining industry in the country. Rafael de Araújo devoted his career to the development of the mining sector in the country and committed his knowledge and skills to contribute to the values of the people of Timor Leste.

José Gonçalves, President and Chief Executive Officer, MURAK RAI TIMOR, E.P.

José is a mining engineer, graduate from University of Wollongong, Australia. He has more than 17 years combined experience in both Petroleum and Mining sector. For over 10 years, he has been holding senior technical position working for the Government of Timor-Leste managing petroleum activities with Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo e Minerais (ANPM), serving as Director for the Joint Petroleum Development Area under the Timor Sea Treaty and the Vice President for Mineral Exploration.

During the last 9 years, José has been leading the transformation of Timor-Leste’s mining sector including administering and supervising the sector’s performance, coordinate and play pivotal role in the establishment of first generation of Timor-Leste’s mineral legal framework, develop the first Timor-Leste mining activity zones and concession areas for territory-wide investment in mineral exploration. Under his term, Timor-Leste recorded significant increase in revenue collection from production of construction materials as a result of improved mineral licensing process and improved inspection and supervision of mining activities.

José currently assume the role as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Murak Rai Timor, E.P. a newly established state-owned mining company with core responsibility to explore, develop, mine, process and market mineral products and provide auxiliary services to mining industries.

Chris Daws, Managing Director, Estella Resources

Chris Daws s a seasoned mining and resources executive with over 30 years of experience across capital markets, project development, and public company leadership. Beginning his career in finance, he managed private client wealth and raised significant capital for ASX-listed companies before moving into executive roles across the mining sector.

He has led major acquisitions, mine restarts, resource discoveries, and international joint ventures in Australia, Canada, the U.S., and Africa. As CEO and Managing Director of Estrella Resources (ASX: ESR), he has driven strategic growth, project expansion, and the company’s entry into Timor-Leste. He holds qualifications in environmental technology and securities.

Relíquia Gonçalves, Legal Mining and Contract Management Officer, Autoridade Nacional dos Minerais, I. P

Relíquia Gonçalves holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Sea Studies. She serves as Legal Mining and Contract Management Officer at ANM, where she leads the management of all Mineral Rights and contracts while supporting the Authority’s Legal Compliance Unit. In addition, Relíquia Gonçalves specific role is to ensure the legal compliance with respect the marketing and commercial of mineral resources from all Mining Activities.

Since joining ANM at its inception in 2023, she has served as Legal Officer for corporate compliances, contributing to the development of institution’s mining legal frameworks and ensuring legal integrity of procurement process. Currently, she oversees ensuring legal matters pertaining to the mineral promotion and licensing round; her role is to ensure that the licensing round is conducted in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions in the respective legal documents.