Dominion Diamond announces two appointments to the company’s Board of Directors

Dominion Diamond Corporation appointed Mr. Jim Gowans to the Board of Directors of the company. The Board intends to appoint Mr. Gowans as the non-executive Chairman of the Board no later than April 30, 2016. Dominion also appointed Mr. Josef Vejvoda to the Board, who was identified and proposed to Dominion by a group of shareholders.

Mr. Robert A. Gannicott, Chairman of the Board, said that, “Both the company and I have faced certain changes recently. For the company, these represent opportunities but in my case they represent medical challenges. I have known Jim throughout his career, especially the parts relating to northern mine development and, later, the diamond industry. It is with great confidence that I anticipate handing over the chairmanship to Jim in the near future.”

In connection with these appointments, the group has entered into an agreement with Dominion which includes a customary standstill on the part of the group.

“These appointments fill the two casual vacancies on the board, and the experience and expertise of these two individuals will make a very positive contribution to the governance of the company,” said Daniel Jarvis, lead independent director of the board. “In addition to these appointments, the board will continue its existing search process to identify an additional independent director who can join the board.”

Jim Gowans holds extensive operational experience and familiarity with all aspects of the mining industry, along with an informed perspective on corporate-social responsibility. He currently is the President, chief executive officer and director of Arizona Mining. He served in senior roles in various prominent mining companies including as the Managing Director of the Debswana Diamond Company, the CEO of DeBeers Canada Inc., and COO and Chief Technical Officer for DeBeers SA.

Josef Vejvoda, ICD.D brings valuable financial expertise to the Board, including extensive experience with and knowledge of Canadian capital markets. He has served as a Portfolio Manager at K2 & Associates Investment Management Inc.