Ghana-focused Galiano Gold, formerly Asanko Gold, on Monday announced the appointment of Matt Badylak as executive VP and COO with immediate effect.
He would be based in the company's head office in Vancouver.
The appointment follows the recent death of former COO Josephat Zvaipa, who died after contracting Covid-19.
Badylak’s most recent role was that as GM of Eldorado Gold’s Kisladag mine, in Turkey.
"With Matt's experience in challenging the status quo and desire to drive operational efficiencies, he will be instrumental in leading the optimisation of the Asanko gold mine,” commented Galiano Gold CEO Greg McCunn.
At Kisladag, Badylak was responsible for multiple cost saving initiatives and optimisation of the heap leaching operations, allowing the company to avoid construction of a capital-intensive milling facility and extend the operation of the heap leach.
Prior to his role at Kisladag, he held various corporate and operations management roles in Eldorado Gold.
Galiano owns the Asanko mine, in Ghana, in a joint venture with South Africa-headquartered Gold Fields.