Guyana Goldfields Inc. has announced the impending departure of Claude Lemasson as its President and Chief Operating Officer, even as the company moves ahead with plans for its Aurora Gold Project on the Cuyuni River.
Lemasson’s resignation is effective from April 9 and he has also stepped down as a Board Director “immediately.” No reasons were given for his decisions.
Patrick Sheridan, Chief Executive Officer of the company, will replace Lemasson on a temporary basis until a successor is appointed, the company said in a statement. Sheridan is the founder of the company and was formerly the President prior to the appointment of Lemasson in 2009. The Board has identified qualified candidates with long histories of mine development and construction experience as potential successors and is currently finalising an appointment.
Lemasson joined the Company in March 2009 as President and Chief Operating Officer and the Board of Directors in April 2010. He was responsible for overseeing the technical studies and pre-development work related to the Aurora Gold Project.
Jean-Pierre Chauvin, meanwhile, has been named as the newest member of the Board of Directors, the statement added. Chauvin, the company said, brings more than 40 years of combined experience in mining operations and construction management.
In addition, the company announced that it has taken the first step in assembling a team for the construction of its Aurora Gold Project by way of the appointment of a Vice-President, Projects, with an effective initiation date of early May. The Vice-President will be based in Guyana and will be responsible for advancing the technical studies, development, and construction of the Aurora Gold Project and managing the overall project team. His extensive background in civil engineering and geology encompasses over 15 years experience in both the construction and resources industries, the company said, adding that the appointee has recently been responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction management of a multi-billion dollar project in a tropical climate similar to that of Guyana. He was directly accountable for setting the strategic project scope, definition and the delivery of the project, in accordance with agreed design, safety, time and cost parameters to achieve all objectives. Further details will be provided in early May upon his commencement of employment, it added.
“We are very pleased to announce the additions to the Aurora Gold Project team and the Board of Directors at this important time in the pre-development phase of the company. The project is attracting top professionals with significant experience in mine construction projects in tropical environments.
“This is a testament to the quality of the Aurora Gold Project. Their extensive experience and expertise in building and operating mines are invaluable and the company now has the depth of experience required to make a smooth transition from highly successful explorer to developer,” Sheridan was quoted as saying in the statement.
