The Queensland Pacific Metals Ltd (ASX: QPM) share price is jumping today, up 19% at the tie of writing to 12 cents a share. Queensland Pacific opened at 11 cents this morning before rocketing as high as 13 cents early in morning trade. Today's move is just the latest in what has been a very successful year for the company. AS recently as July 2020, Queensland Pacific Metals was trading at a price of 1 cent a share, meaning the company has rocketed more than 1,000% over the past 10 or so months. Even just in 2021 so far, the company is up around 200%.
So why are Queensland Pacific Metals shares jumping today?
Queensland Pacific Metals share price gains
There have been a few recent developments that are likely to be feeding into Queensland Pacific Metals shares today. Firstly, a fortnight ago, the company announced that it had managed to produce battery-grade nickel sulphate. As my Fool colleague Brooke reported at the time, Queensland Pacific stated that the results managed to adhere to the highest battery specification standards. That news sent Queensland Pacific shares up 15% at the time.
But we have some fresh news today as well.
Queensland Pacific Metals released an ASX announcement before the market opened this morning. This announcement heralded the appointment meant of James (Jim) Simpson as a non-executive director of Queensland Pacific Metals, effective 1 May. Mr Simpson reportedly has more than 30 years of experience in the resources sector, including a stint at Aurelia Metals Ltd (AX: AMI). He has most recently worked as executive director for Peel Mining Ltd (ASX: PEX).
Queensland Pacific chair Eddie King had this to say on the appointment:
I am delighted that someone of Jim's calibre has chosen to join the Board of QPM. Jim brings with him a wealth of resources and corporate experience and has a detailed understanding of what is required when taking a resources project through its technical feasibility and funding/development phases and ultimately into production. I look forward to working with Jim during this period and beyond.
Judging by the performance of the Queensland Pacific share price today, the market agrees with these sentiments. At the current pricing, Queensland Pacific Metals has a market capitalisation of $140 million.
