JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Aim-listed Alecto Minerals has appointed operations manager Dominic Doherty the company’s operations director, with immediate effect. 

The West and East Africa-focused explorer added in a statement on Wednesday that part-time executive director Mike Ware would resign from the board, also with immediate effect, but would continue to advise the company as a consultant. 

Doherty would be based full-time at the company’s operational headquarters, in West Africa, in line with its strategy to strengthen its operational capabilities as it focused on advancing its African gold and base metal portfolio.

The company said he offered in-depth knowledge of Alecto’s Malian projects, having managed their development for the last four years. 

PrIor to his role in developing the group’s Kossanto gold project, in western Mali, Doherty was one of the founding partners of Mali-based Roc Resources, which saw him developing and managing an alluvial gold opportunity in the country.

He was also head of business development for the government of Dubai and took a leading role interfacing with African producers for the United Arab Emirates government’s “Masterplan for Diamonds” strategy.

He also assisted in “enabling” the Kimberley Process in Africa and the Middle East.

Alecto CEO Mark Jones said he was “delighted” to welcome Doherty to the board.

“The Joint Ores Reserves Committee-compliant resource estimate at our Kossanto gold project has been increased by 131% since we acquired it nine months ago and part of this success can be accredited to Dominic, who has used his knowledge of the assets, gained over the last four years, to build value for shareholders,” he said.

Jones added that the appointment was “timely”, as the group started to move Alecto down the development path.

“The coming months will be focused on developing a new exploration programme ahead of [restarting] work in the fourth quarter and I look forward to working more closely with him on this. 

“Additionally, I would like to thank Mike for his support and excellent technical skills that the board has utilised and look forward to continuing our working relationship through his role as a consultant to the company.”