Velocity Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: VLC) has announced the appointment of Erik Marchand to its board of directors, effective following the resignation of Gerrie van der Westhuizen on October 1, 2026. Marchand joins as the nominee of Artemis Gold Inc. under the terms of a strategic investment agreement originally signed in January 2019. The board change signals continued alignment between Velocity and its strategic investor, Artemis Gold, and may draw investor attention to the evolving governance structure of the junior miner.

Key Points

  • Velocity Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: VLC) announced a board director change on October 5, 2026.
  • Erik Marchand, CFO and Corporate Secretary of Artemis Gold Inc., has been appointed as Artemis Gold's board nominee at Velocity.
  • Gerrie van der Westhuizen resigned as director effective October 1, 2026, after serving as the prior Artemis Gold nominee.
  • Investors may watch how Marchand's financial and mining sector background influences Velocity's strategic direction.

Marchand's Finance and Mining Credentials Behind the Board Appointment

Erik Marchand is a Chartered Professional Accountant with approximately 15 years of experience in finance and accounting across the mining and natural resources sectors. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of Artemis Gold Inc., having joined that company in September 2021 as Corporate Controller. He subsequently advanced to Vice President of Finance, overseeing financial reporting, internal controls, treasury, risk management, metal sales, and business process improvement before assuming his current CFO role. He began his career at Deloitte and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Accounting.

Artemis Gold's Strategic Investment Agreement Drives the Nomination

The appointment is made pursuant to a strategic investment agreement between Velocity and Artemis Gold Inc., originally dated January 16, 2019, and subsequently amended. Under that agreement, Artemis Gold retains the right to nominate a representative to Velocity's board. Marchand's nomination follows the departure of Gerrie van der Westhuizen, who served in that same nominee capacity. The continued exercise of Artemis Gold's nomination right underscores the ongoing strategic relationship between the two companies, which investors in Velocity have tracked since the original agreement was established.

Prior International Mining and Glencore Experience Adds Operational Depth

Before joining Artemis Gold, Marchand held progressively senior finance positions at one of Glencore's international mining operations, as well as site-based operational roles within British Columbia. The release states that this background provides him with both corporate finance and on-the-ground operational perspective relevant to resource-sector governance. Velocity's President and CEO Keith Henderson commented in the release that he welcomed Marchand to the board and expressed confidence in his contributions as the company advances its operations. Henderson also thanked van der Westhuizen for his service and the perspective he brought to the board.