Ethiopia-focused gold miner Akobo Minerals has appointed Professor Steven Rupprecht as mine manager and strategic adviser to its Segele operation in south-west Ethiopia.
He initially worked for Akobo as a consultant and was instrumental in the design and management of Segele since shortly after its discovery in 2021.
Rupprecht has become heavily engaged in bringing the project to fruition as the mine nears startup and first flow of income.
He brings to the firm more than 35 years of corporate consulting experience in the mining industry, including a period as group mining engineer for Gold Fields.
Akobo says Rupprecht’s combined skills in hands-on management and strategic analysis will also be used to leverage the exciting Gingibil project – the next exploration and mine target area – and review any potential medium-term Ethiopia-wide expansion projects.
Rupprecht says the Segele mine is an exciting high-grade low-tonnage project with great potential, but he wants Segele to be the first step in the company’s successful growth.
“We are already targeting further exploration opportunities and I look forward to developing these in the coming years for the benefit of our investors, employees and the local community.”