JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Dual-listed Centamin has appointed COO Andrew Pardey as CEO and executive director, effective February 1, replacing interim CEO Josef El-Raghy, who will continue in his role as chairperson.
The company said in a statement that Pardey was instrumental in the successful transition of Centamin’s Sukari gold mine, in Egypt, through construction and into production during his tenure as GM of operations, before being appointed COO of the company in May 2012.
He holds a BSc in Geology and has over 25 years' experience in the mining and exploration industry, having previously held senior positions in Africa, Australia and other parts of the world with miners AngloGold Ashanti, Guinor Gold Corporation and Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines.
El-Raghy described Pardey as a driving force behind Centamin’s development from a junior exploration company into one of the largest gold producers in North Africa.
“Under his careful stewardship, Sukari has grown into one of the world’s leading gold mines and the business has diversified into exciting proven gold regions including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the company towards delivering substantial shareholder value through further production growth in Egypt and development of our portfolio of assets at various stages of exploration,” he stated.
The Sukari mine is the first large-scale modern gold mine to be developed in Egypt and produced 377 261 oz in 2014. Centamin is also conducting exploration at three licence areas in Ethiopia.