Morgan Stanley (MS) has hired Hugh Thomas as a managing director for its Asia-Pacific investment banking team, adding a veteran banker to cut deals in the increasingly important metals and mining sector, according to people familiar with the situation.

Thomas, previously head of Natural Resources Asia-Pacific at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM), resigned from that post on Sunday, according to one person. A J.P. Morgan spokeswoman confirmed his departure. He will take up a similar role at Morgan Stanley after taking a standard three month 'gardening leave.'

(This story and related background material will be available on The Wall Street Journal Web site, WSJ.com).

Natural resource deals in Asia are a growing business segment for investment banks in Asia as China continues to show a strong appetite for acquiring natural resources overseas, particularly Australian mining companies. The latest major deal is China-based Yanzhou Coal Mining Co.'s (YZC) A$3.54 billion proposed acquisition of coal miner Felix Resources Ltd. (FLX.AU) That deal still needs approval from Australian regulators.

Announced cross-border mergers and acquisitions in the metals and mining sector involving Asian parties have totaled $16.4 billion so far this year, surpassing the $15.8 billion for the year 2008, according to data provider Dealogic.
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