Public Statement – Ethics Committee Determination
Public Release Statement: AusIMM Case 2025-04
The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) advises that its Ethics Committee has concluded its consideration of a complaint concerning the professional conduct of a former AusIMM member, Mr George Karageorge, in relation to public technical reporting on the Tanbreez Project, Greenland.
Following an investigation conducted in accordance with the AusIMM Professional Conduct Regulations (the Regulations), the Ethics Committee determined that Mr Karageorge breached the AusIMM Code of Ethics and the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code, 2012 Edition).
The Ethics Committee found that Mr Karageorge breached the following provisions:
AusIMM Code of Ethics
- Clause 3 – Integrity of the profession
- Clause 6 – Professional and ethical standards
- Clause 7 – Objectivity, competence and disclosure
JORC Code (2012)
- Clause 4 – Transparency
- Clause 9 – Conflict of interest
- Clause 10 – Documentation
- Clause 14 – Disclosure of material information
- Clause 20 – Reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction
- Clause 49 – Reporting of industrial minerals.
Mr Karageorge resigned from AusIMM membership prior to the final determination of the matter.
In accordance with Clause 58 (d) and (f) of the Regulations the Ethics Committee made recommendations to the AusIMM Board.
The AusIMM Board has reviewed the Ethics Committee’s findings and has endorsed the recommended sanctions in accordance with Clause 59 of the Regulations
In light of the seriousness and scope of the breaches identified, the Board has resolved that Mr Karageorge is permanently ineligible to reapply for membership of the AusIMM pursuant to Clause 24 of the Professional Conduct Regulations.
The AusIMM Board has also approved notification of relevant regulatory bodies of the findings in this matter pursuant to Clause 58 (f) of the Professional Conduct Regulations.
The AusIMM Professional Conduct and Ethics process exists to uphold professional standards for the benefit of the community, investors, regulators and the minerals industry. The Institute takes seriously its responsibility to ensure that public technical reporting by its members meets the highest standards of integrity, competence and transparency.
Contact: compliance@ausimm.com