JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Mark Connelly, the former MD and CEO of Mali-based Papillon Resources, which recently merged with Vancouver-based B2Gold Corp, has joined Burkina Faso-focused copper and gold explorer West African Resources.
ASX- and TSX-listed West African appointed Connelly as nonexecutive chairperson, replacing Francis Harper, who has resigned from the board.
MD Richard Hyde commented in a statement on Tuesday that Connelly would provide important skills to the company during its transition from developer to producer.
Connelly added that he believed his experience in West Africa would complement the company’s management team.
“The West African team has done an extraordinary job of advancing the Mankarga project since the acquisition just 18 months ago. I expect this strong project development to continue as the exploration team drills targets nearby the proposed starter pit and across the exploration portfolio,” he said.
Connelly had more than 27 years of experience in the mining industry and had held senior executive positions at Endeavour Mining, Adamus Resources, Newmont Mining and Inmet Mining.
A prefeasibility study had estimated that the Mankarga project will produce 69 000 oz/y over the first three years of operation, and average at 49 000 oz/y over its seven-year mine life.