PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Vital Metals has appointed former Roxgold president, CEO and director John Dorward as its MD, effective immediately.
The TSX-listed Roxgold was acquired by dual-listed Fortuna Silver Mines in a $884-million deal last year.
Dorward led Roxgold to build the underground Yaramoko gold mine in Burkina Faso, which reached production less than four years after the delivery of a maiden inferred resource and went on to achieve annual production of 140 000 oz gold, before Roxgold also secured the high-grade Séguéla project in Cote d’Ivoire from Newcrest Mining.
“We are thrilled to appoint a candidate with such a strong proven track record of developing, building and operating resources projects as Dorward has. His experience in both Canada and Australia will fit well with Vital as we continue to develop our rare earths project at Nechalacho,” said Vital Metals chairperson Evan Cranston.
“Dorward has experience across both resources development and finance and has proven leadership skills which will be important as we continue this transition from exploration and development into production.
“Our interim CEO Russell Bradford has provided great dedication and expertise to Vital over the recent months. He has played an important role in leading the company in that time and in reviewing our plans and goals across our operations. I thank him for his contribution and for staying on in the role until January 2023 to provide a smooth transition of leadership.”
Bradford, who has been in the role since August, will continue to be involved in operations until January 2023 and will continue in his role on Vital’s technical advisory committee beyond that time.