TSX-V-listed Aton Resources has reorganised the management team at its Abu Marawat Concession in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.

Robert Parr has been appointed COO and will be responsible for overseeing the development of the mining projects at the Abu Marawat Concession.

Tonno Vahk will assume the role of CEO, to allow him to concentrate fully on a more traditional CEO role.

Javier Orduña will become Aton’s chief geologist, with responsibility for all the company’s geological operations, while Paul Angus has been promoted to exploration manager, taking more direct responsibility for management of the programmes within the retained exploration areas.

In Egypt, Cherif Barakat will assume the role of GM and country manager, and will be responsible for the company’s in-country administrative activities and government relations, while Samy Nabil Donkol becomes operations manager, assuming responsibility for all operations, logistics and security matters.

“Aton is pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Parr as our new COO, who will be responsible for driving the mining projects forward at Abu Marawat, now that we have been awarded the mining licence in Egypt, and we start the transition from being a pure exploration company to a mining company.

“This transition also allows us to reorganise and strengthen the management team at corporate level and in Egypt, as we move towards creating the joint venture company that will operate the exploitation lease at Abu Marawat,” says Vahk.

“Rob joins us as a highly experienced mining engineer with over 30 years of global experience, after having started his career in Australia. Rob comes to Aton with a wealth of experience in investment analysis, strategic planning, business transformation, feasibility studies, and new mine construction and mining operations.

“Rob has worked with several major mining companies during his career including Newmont, Rio Tinto, Perseus and Western Mining, and has recently held COO roles in Africa and South America,” he points out.

“Cherif Barakat will become the GM, which will allow me to step back from a hands-on role in Egypt and to focus more fully on a traditional CEO role.

“Javier Orduña, Paul Angus and Samy Nabil, after having successfully led us to the issuance of the exploitation lease at Abu Marawat, will continue to head up the exploration and operations team in Egypt as the company transitions to becoming a mining company and looks to evaluate other possible opportunities within Egypt and the wider region,” Vahk adds.