A publicly traded mining development company on the Toronto Stock Exchange announced the hiring of its first general counsel Thursday.

Steve Boucratie was named vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Montreal-based Champion Iron.

Michael Marcotte, vice president of investor relations, said there had been a corporate secretary with the company before, although that person did not have general counsel responsibilities.

A message left for Boucratie seeking comment on his new role was not returned Friday.

Boucratie most recently worked as the director of legal affairs and assistant corporate secretary at Osisko Gold Royalties from February 2017 until May. He has worked as a partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin and has also worked as a partner at Miller Thomson. He has a bachelor's in law from Montreal University.

David Cataford, Champion Iron's CEO, said he and the board are happy to have Boucratie working for the company as it is in the process of expanding.

“Steve joins us at a crucial time in our Company as we are to consider organic growth opportunities to expand our already strong operations at the Bloom Lake mine, with his background that combines mining, corporate and securities law, corporate governance and corporate finance,” Cataford said in a press release.

In May, the company announced it secured $185 million Canadian dollars ($138 million) in refinancing and acquired a 100% stake in the Bloom Lake iron ore project in Quebec.