TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Ahead of closing the proposed C$3.9-billion friendly acquisition of Quebec-based miner Osisko Gold, Latin America-focused precious metals miner Yamana Gold on Tuesday announced that it had appointed Daniel Racine as senior VP for Canadian operations and mine planning and development with immediate effect.

Yamana, which last month together with Canadian gold miner Agnico Eagle stepped forward as white knights to jointly buy Osisko, the target of a C$3.6-billion hostile takeover bid by Goldcorp, stood to benefit significantly from broadening its geographic portfolio through the deal.

Through gaining control of Osisko’s Canadian Malartic mine, the transaction would expand Yamana’s portfolio of operations into a new world-class North American jurisdiction with an immediate increase in output and add to improving its low-cost structure.

Racine most recently held the position of president and COO of Brigus Gold, before Primero Mining in March completed a $220-million friendly takeover that created a new North American midtier miner, with operations in Ontario and Mexico.

Racine, with more than 25 years of experience in the Canadian mining industry and extensive experience in Quebec, is not only no stranger to Canadian mining, he also previously served as Agnico’s senior VP for mining where he oversaw Agnico's global mining operations. He joined Agnico in 1988 as a junior mining engineer and over his tenure progressively took on more responsibility.

In his new role, Racine would be responsible for all mining operations in Canada and would champion the strategy for growth of the Canadian project portfolio. Racine would also be responsible for formulating strategic objectives and direction, and would provide technical support to all of Yamana's operations.

Racine holds a Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering from Laval University, and is a member of L'Ordre de Ingenieurs du Quebec and Professional Engineers of Ontario.