Connecting capital with capability.
Arete Capital Group is a global mining, investment and asset management group focused on high quality mid-tier mining assets.
A global mining and asset management group focused on high-quality mid-tier mining assets.
Arete Capital Group is a globally-focused natural resources/mining private equity group established by senior mining industry professionals with extensive industry expertise and operational experience. Our team has a strong history of identifying, developing and operating mining assets and most importantly in creating value for all associated stakeholders.
Arete aims to optimise the operational potential of the assets it acquires with a simple goal of delivering structural and operational improvements to the asset to create real and sustainable value.
With an asset's operational performance being benchmarked to stricter capital disciplines and higher economic thresholds, Arete appreciates that performance optimization is more critical than ever before.
The team that built the platform.
Hugh M Morgan AC
Chairman, Advisory BoardOver 40 years in the mining industry, rising to CEO of WMC Limited. A Director of Alcoa of Australia for over 20 years and of Alcoa Inc (1998-2001), advisor to Lafarge International and Anglo American Plc. Former Director of the Reserve Bank of Australia Board for 14 years and past President of the Business Council of Australia. Past Chairman of the International Council on Metals and the Environment and Executive Committee Member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Campbell Olsen
Chief Executive OfficerA long career in investment and operational management in mining, with deep experience in international private equity. Former Investment Manager with Nomura Jafco and General Manager (Australasia) with Advent International. Director of North Stawell Minerals (ASX:NSM) and advisory board member of AMEC Victoria and the Australian Gold Conference. Holds a BEng and MBA from Melbourne Business School.
Stephen Jeffers
Chief Operating OfficerA 30+ year career in mining specialising in operational management and turning around troubled mines, with over 25 years in Manager and General Manager roles across underground and open pit operations. Former COO and GM of Norilsk Nickel Australia, and GM with Mincor Resources, Kingsgate Consolidated and LionGold Corp. Fellow of the AusIMM with 35+ years of continuous membership.
Bill Reid
Exploration GeologistAn exploration geologist with 25 years' experience in Australia, Canada and West Africa, principally for gold and base metals. Field, operational and management roles across generative through in-mine exploration with junior to major companies. Chair of the AIG Victorian Committee. B.Sc (Geology) from Sydney University, with recent roles at Castlemaine Goldfields, North Stawell Minerals, RSCMME and GSNSW.
Kevin McLean
Operations and Projects ManagerA seasoned operations and projects leader with a proven track record managing multidisciplined teams across the defence, industrial, resources and construction sectors. Kevin brings a hands-on, collaborative leadership style and a demonstrated ability to deliver lasting operational improvement in demanding environments.
Peter Johnston
Senior AdvisorA senior international mining executive, recently retired as Head of Global Nickel Assets for Glencore, responsible for operations across Australia, Canada, New Caledonia and Norway. Former MD and CEO of Minara Resources and EGM of Western Mining Corporation's nickel and gold divisions. Current Chairman of Jervois Global Ltd and Director of Tronox Limited, with 35+ years of operations and development experience.
Mitchell H. Hooke AM
Senior AdvisorGlobally recognised for strategic leadership in Australian and global public policy advocacy and commercial operational practices over 40+ years. Former CEO of the Grains, Food and Grocery, and Minerals Councils of Australia, and a Member of Full Council of ICMM. Chair of the Global Mining and Metals Associations' Council and ICMM Trade and Climate Change Committees. Active as Chair and Non-Executive Director of public and private companies.
Gavan Collery OAM
Senior AdvisorA Corporate and Regulatory Affairs specialist in the Australian and offshore minerals industry for more than 30 years. Formerly a decade with ASX-listed Indophil Resources and almost 15 years with Western Mining Corporation. Founder of the Melbourne Mining Club steering committee. Recipient of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the mineral industry.
Shaun Treacy
Senior AdvisorOver 30 years in corporate finance and investment banking across the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia. Former senior investment banker with JPMorgan, Lehman Brothers, Nomura and UBS. Senior Advisor to a range of companies in corporate advisory, private equity and corporate sectors. B.Com from the University of Queensland and Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Doug Roem
Senior AdvisorA seasoned private equity, turnaround and restructuring professional. Experience spans investor, director and investee executive roles at CHAMP, Hastings and the Victor Smorgon Group, with extensive international capability across the USA, SE Asia and China. Holds a B.App.Sc from Melbourne University, M.Biomed.Eng from UNSW, Grad.Dip Applied Corporate Finance, and an MBA from INSEAD.
Our Investment Strategy
The strategy of our Fund is to build a portfolio of high quality mining, precious metals and critical elements comprising operating mines, advanced development projects with near-term production potential and, where appropriate, logistical mining assets, technology and processing assets.
To achieve its strategy Arete has given strong regard to assembling a team of world class experienced mining, private equity and investment banking professionals with extensive and deep-reaching global networks to identify, negotiate and execute the acquisition of these assets.
A complete mining investment and operating capability, under one roof.
Proprietary deal sourcing
A global network built over the team's careers, giving early access before assets are marketed.
Value-chain relationships
Across projects, contractors, offtake and buyers, throughout the resource value chain.
Deep due diligence
Technical, operational and financial diligence that finds the real risk and the real upside.
Contrarian acquisition
Underperforming, non-core and closed-down assets that carry significant upside.
Operating and turnaround
Restarting mines, rebuilding teams and culture and lifting production and profit.
Specialist mining finance
Experience with streaming, royalties and reserve-based lending, applied to maximise returns.
Capital discipline
Ten-year capital roadmaps and adequate reserve capital for a cyclical business.
Creative value capture
Opportunity within opportunity, realised through sell-downs, IPOs and recapitalisations.
Cycle judgement
Long-term knowledge of the mining industry and its cyclicality.
Regulation and reputation
Long experience with regulators and a name as a reliable partner in projects.
Delivered by the team that built the platform.
Stawell Gold Mine
Acquired an underground gold mine from Kirkland Lake (Agnico Eagle) under care and maintenance. Arete led transaction diligence, capital raising and has acted as operating manager since 2017.
McEwen Copper Los Azules
USD 10M private placement in June 2022, identified as undervalued before Rio Tinto and Stellantis. One of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world, with a 2023 PEA NPV of USD 2.7B. IPO on TSX planned.
North Stawell Minerals
Carved out tenement positions from Stawell Gold Mines in 2020. Created a new exploration entity, raised pre-IPO funding, recruited management and drove the ASX IPO.
Balmaine Gold Ballarat
Contracted to prepare a 10-year forward operating plan for Chinese owners, including full cost modelling and recruitment of a new senior operating team.
Vallenar Iron
Iron ore project located near Vallenar in the Atacama region of Chile, a well-established iron mining district. Arete provided technical and commercial evaluation support for the project's development.
* Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Hong Kong
- Xiamen
- Dallas
- Vancouver
