Barrick Gold's president and CEO Greg Wilkins, who took extended medical leave earlier this year from the world's biggest gold-miner, has resigned from the positions, Barrick announced late on Friday.

Wilkins had been appointed vice-chairperson of the gold giant, which would allow him more flexibility to focus on his health going forward.

The company announced in March that he would take an extended leave of absence owing to a serious medical condition.

Chairperson Peter Munk, who took over as interim CEO at the time, would continue in the role until a successor was appointed, the firm said in a statement.

A committee had been formed to conduct a search for Wilkins' successor.

Wilkins was appointed president and CEO of Toronto-based Barrick in February 2003, and led it through a 2006 merger with rival Placer Dome, which boosted the gold-miner into the industry's top spot, held at the time by US-based Newmont Mining.

"Barrick will remain on the same course - safe and profitable production of gold from its operations and advancing the deepest project pipeline in our industry," Munk assured investors on Friday.

Earlier this week, Barrick announced it would offer to buy Canadian oil and natural gas firm Candence Energy, in a bid to hedge its exposure to rising energy costs. 

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.