PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Dual-listed gold miner OceanaGold has announced the creation of a COO role for the Asia Pacific and America’s regions, as well as the role of chief technical and projects officer.

The ASX- and TSX-listed miner has reported that current COO Scott Sullivan will transition to the new chief technical and projects officer role in the fourth quarter of 2022, leading group-wide technical functions and providing strategic direction on studies and execution of major projects.

In this role he will also lead the evaluation of growth opportunities, the adoption of major new technology and the delivery of carbon and energy reduction projects.

Following Sullivan’s transition to his new role, the current executive VP for exploration and development, Craig Feebrey, will return to his previous role of executive VP for exploration, allowing him to focus on OceanaGold’s mineral resources and existing exploration portfolio as well as the identification and evaluation of future opportunities.

Meanwhile, OceanaGold said on Monday that it is moving to a regional COO model in recognition of the level of opportunity in each of its operating regions requiring executive-level support and the spread of time zones in which it operates.

Peter Sharpe will join OceanaGold as COO for Asia-Pacific, and will be based in Brisbane. He will be accountable for the Waihi and Macraes operations in New Zealand and the Didipio mine in the Philippines, as well as the company’s asset management and continuous improvement functions.

Sharpe is expected to join OceanaGold in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Current executive GM of the Haile gold mine in the US, David Londono, has been promoted to COO for Americas, effective immediately, where he will continue leading the Haile operation’s transformation and development of the Haile Underground once permitted.

“I am delighted to welcome Sharpe to OceanaGold. Together with Sullivan, Londono and Feebrey, we will have exceptional technical depth and capability and experience of working across multiple geographies. Sharpe brings excellent operational and leadership experience that will support the safe and responsible delivery of the full potential from our operations in line with our strategy,” OceanaGold president and CEO Gerard Bond said.

“As we drive our strategy forward, Sullivan, as chief technical and projects officer, will partner with the COOs to maximise value from our existing operations and he will lead the assessment of future opportunities. Responsibilities will include providing expert technical support, energy efficiency and emissions reduction initiatives, studies and projects and in particular overall leadership of the Waihi North project, including the Wharekirauponga Underground opportunity.”