The Sentient Group | About Us

Investment Professionals

Pieter Britz
BEng (Industrial), MBA
Pieter has gained a wealth of experience in many facets of the resources industry since the early 1990’s.  He began his career at Iscor Mining in South Africa where he worked on capital expenditure programs and investments at the Sishen iron ore mine managing throughput, capacity and expansion projects.  He joined the Sishen Executive Team in 1997 to oversee investment decisions and later that year set up Iscor’s corporate strategy and business consulting unit where he managed various strategic initiatives.  Pieter co-managed the de-merger and separate listing of Kumba Resources Limited in 2001 where he continued with responsibility for strategy and corporate development.

In early 2004 Pieter moved to Australia to set up Royal Bank of Canada’s investment banking division, initially focussing on equity capital markets before expanding into corporate advisory work.

Pieter joined Sentient in early 2007 and is a director of Geodynamics Limited.
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Stephen Dunn
BSc Applied Science, SA Fin
Stephen is an advisor to Sentient. He has been involved in the resources industry since the 1980’s. His experience spans government and mineral industry business development, operational management at senior levels in the industrial minerals sector, mineral industry representation, investment and portfolio management including several mining related directorships whilst at AMP Private Investments.
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Ellen Gursanscky

Ellen joined Sentient in 2008 as an Investment Analyst focusing primarily on China.  She holds a first class honors degree in chemical engineering from the University of New South Wales and a Diploma of Financial Markets from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

Ellen spent three separate periods studying chemical engineering and languages in China during the course of her Bachelors degree in Australia. 

Ellen is currently on secondment to Sentient’s joint venture partner, Yunnan Metallurgical Group, in Kunming.
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Matthew Keegan
B.App.Sci. (Geology)
Matthew gained extensive experience as a mine geologist working for companies such as Barrick and Rio Tinto across a range of commodities including iron ore, nickel, and gold. Prior to joining Sentient, Matthew worked as a mining analyst with a major research house, culminating in the publication of several mining industry cost studies.

Matthew’s responsibilities include maintaining Sentient’s due diligence information systems as well as project research and analysis.

Matthew is a director of Iron Road Limited.
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Munish Kumar
B.COM(H), MCSD
Munish holds a B.Com (Hons.) degree from Delhi University, India. In addition, Munish is also a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer. He gained a wealth of experience in IT and portfolio management during his varied roles ranging from running his own business in India, to working in the business intelligence domain with specialization in investment portfolio management.

In addition to his work an Investment Analyst, Munish will maintain and enhance Sentient’s in-house portfolio management systems. He will also play a leading role in establishing Sentient’s relationships and presence in India.
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Pepita Maiden
BSc (Hon) Science Communication
Following graduation from the University of NSW, Pepita worked for six years in project management and government and investor relations for the nuclear industry in Australia and the United Kingdom. After two years with an Australian Biotechnology Research Centre, Pepita began consulting in public and investor relations for emerging companies in the mineral exploration sector.

Pepita started with Sentient in September 2006, carrying out research work on a part-time basis.
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Susanne Sesselmann
Susanne joined Sentient in 2007 to focus on European opportunities.  She has twenty years experience in investment banking with HVB Group, ten of which were in investment banking and project finance throughout the world but principally in Europe.

Susanne holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters degree in Languages (French and Spanish) from the University of Innsbruck, Austria. 

Susanne works out of Munich and is currently a director Marengo Mining Ltd and various Sentient Group companies.
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