First Nickel hires new CFO

First Nickel Inc. has hired Steven J. Cresswell as its new vice-president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective Dec. 5.

Cresswell will replace Joseph Del Campo, who is retiring at the end of December.

With more than 20 years of financial experience working for both private and public companies, Cresswell most recently served as CFO of Melior Resources Inc. an investment company focused on developing resource-based opportunities. He has additionally held the role for Tiberon Minerals PTE of Singapore, and has worked in North and South America and the Caribbean.

“I am very pleased to have Steve joining our executive team. Steve brings a broad base of experience in the mining sector at a time when First Nickel is bringing its Lockerby mine back into production and considering a number of growth opportunities,” Thomas M. Boehlert, president and CEO, said in a news release. “I would like to thank Mr. Del Campo for his years of services at First Nickel and wish him the very best in his retirement.”

First Nickel has resumed production at its nickel-copper Lockerby Mine in Sudbury. Once it reaches full production in 2012, it will produce 10 million pounds of nickel and seven million pounds of copper annually.

The company additionally owns exploration properties in Sudbury, Timmins, and Belmont, located 26 km south of London.