West Africa-focused gold mining company Cora Gold has announced the appointment of Russell White as nonexecutive director at a pivotal time as the company advances towards mine construction at its flagship Sanankoro gold project, in southern Mali.

White is a metallurgist by training, having graduated from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, and he has more than 40 years of experience in mineral processing, project delivery and mine operations, predominantly on West African gold projects.

Most recently, he served as mineral exploration and development company Rupert Resources project director until its acquisition by TSX-listed gold mining company Agnico Eagle Mines in June. 

White also served as the project manager and GM at Toro Gold's Mako gold mine, in Senegal, where he oversaw the study, construction and commissioning phases of the project.

Mako, which first poured gold in January 2018, was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, and with good project safety statistics.

Further, in 2020, White joined former gold producer Centamin as group projects manager, a position he held until the company was acquired by JSE- and NYSE-listed mining and metals company AngloGold Ashanti in November 2024.

During his time at Centamin he supported the Sukari gold mine, in Egypt, as well as the company’s West African project portfolio, managing studies and projects through development and execution.

Prior to joining Centamin White also served as LSE-listed Endeavour Mining’s design, study and project manager, where he worked across the company’s assets in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Ghana.

“Russell has demonstrated his ability to take a West African gold project all the way from feasibility study through construction to operational management and done so ahead of schedule and under budget. That is exactly the experience we need on our board as we advance Sanankoro towards construction and production,” says Cora CEO Bert Monro.

Alongside the appointment of White and the company’s progress towards the mine construction phase at Sanankoro, Andrew Chubb has agreed to step down from his role as nonexecutive director of the company.

Chubb, who serves as a partner and mining head at British investment bank Hannam & Partners, will continue to support Cora’s development in an advisory capacity.

White will succeed Chubb on the compliance and corporate governance committee of the Cora board.

The appointment of White and resignation of Chubb are both effective immediately.