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Diana Walters has left Liberty Metals and Mining

One of the most influential institutional investors in the early stage mining industry, Ms. Diana Walters, has left her post atop Liberty Metals and Mining Holdings LLC, according to a news release from Alderon Iron Ore Corp., a Liberty investee company, where Ms. Walters was serving on the board of directors.

By all accounts Ms. Walters is a highly respected professional. No reason was given for her departure (email us if you have a tip), but fund management is a fickle industry, especially in an industry such as mining, which has been battered for nearly four straight years.

Update 4:48PM PST: A source with ties to Liberty says its business at usual at the firm, and that Damon Barber, Senior Managing Director, will be taking over Ms. Walters' responsibilities.

Liberty Metals and Mining is a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance. Under Ms. Walters leadership (Since January 2010), Liberty has invested in companies like Alderon Iron Ore, True Gold Mining, West Kirkland Mining, Red Eagle Mining and Platinum Group Metals.

Walters has nearly three decades of experience in the natural resources sector. Before joining Liberty, she was a Managing Partner of Eland Capital, and was previously with Credit Suisse, HSBC, and other firms, according to her Linkedin profile.