Eagle Star appoints exploration manager

Eagle Star Minerals (CVE:EGE) announced Friday it has appointed Fabio Carvalho de Mendonca to the position of exploration manager, and Patrick Brandreth to the position of corporate relations manager.

"Eagle Star welcomes the additions of both Mr. Carvalho de Mendonca and Mr. Brandreth to our team," said president and CEO, Eran Friedlander.

"Their strong communication, managerial and interpersonal skills along with their extensive experience in mining and investor relations will prove to be highly beneficial to our strategy and the very busy schedule planned for 2012."

Carvalho de Mendonca earned a masters degree from the University of Brasilia, where he studied geology. He has experience with the evaluation of mineral deposits, scoping and baseline studies, HSEC and QAQC practices, and has knowledge of the policies of the Brazilian mining department, the company said.

In addition, Carvalho de Mendonca has acted as a senior geologist with Xstrata Nickel (LON:XTA), Yamana Gold (NYSE:AUY) (TSE:YRI), and Castillian Resources (CVE:CT).

Meanwhile, Brandreth has provided investor relations, corporate communications, and corporate development services to a variety of publicly-traded companies, including Lucky Strike Resources (CVE:LKY) and Fission Energy (CVE:FIS), after which he went on to co-found Trident Financial, an investor relations firm in Vancouver, B.C.

Eagle Star said Brandreth's experience in communication with investors and building up corporate image through various marketing channels will help bring the company to the forefront of investment communities, ultimately boosting shareholder value.

Early last month, Eagle Star announced it had identified high potential for phosphate mineralization on the southern portion of its Ruth project in the State of Piaui, Brazil, known as the Paes Landim Block.

The southern part of the property was chosen based on high concentrations of phosphate found during the initial reconnaissance campaign, the company said.

The company also said it is currently focused on the Salvador target in the south, but it has  initiated work on the Brasilia target in the north as well.