Mako Gold Ltd (ASX:MKG) has appointed highly experienced mining executive Steve Zaninovich to the board as a non-executive director to support the restructure and evolution of the company.
Long-serving non-executive director Michele Muscillo will also transition to the role of non-executive chairman, replacing Dr Mark Elliott, a co-founder of Mako who has made the decision to retire.
West African experience to add insight
Managing director Peter Ledwidge said: “We are delighted to have Steve join the Mako Gold team and to have Michele step up as chairman of the company.
“Steve’s technical expertise as an engineer will help steer Mako following the planned Q1 2021 maiden resource.
“In addition, his extensive corporate experience and business contacts will bolster the company as it moves forward.
“Both Michele’s and Steve’s extensive West African experience will add considerable insight and value to Mako as we seek to unlock the potential on our highly prospective projects in Côte d’lvoire.
“On behalf of the board, management and Mako shareholders would like to welcome Steve and thank Michele for his increased commitment to Mako Gold.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mark Elliott for his stewardship as chairman of the company since 2017 and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
To assist next phase of growth
Zaninovich is a highly qualified engineer with more than 25 years’ mining project development and management experience across a variety of commodities and jurisdictions.
He has held executive and non-executive board roles with several public and private companies and has extensive in-country experience in West Africa including Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
This has included a period as COO of Gryphon Minerals prior to their takeover by Teranga Gold (TSE:TGZ) (OTCMKTS:TGCDF) where he assumed the role of vice president of Major Projects and completed the bankable feasibility study on the recently commissioned circa.2.4-million-ounce Wahgnion Gold Project in Burkina Faso.
The board considers Zaninovich’s appointment to bring significant industry experience to resource development, strategic planning, feasibility studies, and project engineering and development that are relevant for Mako’s flagship Napié Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.
Mako believes he will add substantial leadership and capital markets experience that can assist the company to achieve its next phase of growth.
