TORONTO (miningweekly.com) - Barrick Gold executive vice-chairperson and former CEO Greg Wilkins has died.

Wilkins, 53, passed away on Wednesday, after battling cancer since March 2008.  He is survived by his wife, Vera, and children, Mark and Lauren.

He was appointed president and CEO of Toronto-based Barrick in February 2003, and led it through a transformational, $10,4-billion takeover of US rival Placer Dome in 2006, which created the world's largest gold-mining company.

As CEO, he also began the strategic move towards unwinding the company's gold hedge structures, and led the drive to build large, low-cost mines, which are now beginning to come onstream and produce benefits for the group.

In March 2008, Wilkins took an extended leave of absence for medical reasons and later resigned from his position as CEO in July, when he was appointed executive vice-chairperson.

He was first replaced on an interim basis by Barrick founder and chairperson Peter Munk, and later by current CEO Aaron Regent.

"This is the loss of a dear friend who played a vital role in Barrick's growth," Munk said in a statement on Thursday.

"He worked alongside me building Barrick for almost thirty years. He literally personified the values that guide our decisions at Barrick day by day. He was a leader who listened. He possessed an entrepreneurial spirit and an analytical mind," Munk said.

"He produced results from considered decisions. Greg inspired confidence and respect in me, in our shareholders, in his colleagues, in everyone who met him."

Wilkins was a member of Barrick's board of directors since 1991.

Barrick's corporate head office in Toronto will be closed in tribute on the day of Greg's memorial service, the company said. Arrangements will be announced by the family.

Barrick has 27 operating mines, and expects to produce between 7,7-million and 8,1-million ounces of gold next year.

Click here for a BNN video clip looking back on the career of Greg Wilkins.

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