Soma Gold Corp. (TSX-V:SOMA) announced that it has a new vice president, operations in Mark Bren.
In a statement, the gold company said that Bren brings “an advanced level of technical mining and operating experience to Soma,” adding that the appointment “fills a gap in the company's management structure.”
Soma lauded Bren’s “expertise, work ethic and direct approach,” which were noted after having worked with many of the company’s executive team members throughout the years.
READ: Soma Gold says gold production at El Bagre in Colombia rose 30% in 2022
Bren studied Forestry and Business Administration at the University of Montana from 1987 to 1988. He graduated in 1994 from the Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology in Butte, Montana, with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. He has completed many continuing education courses on topics pertinent to the design, management and expansion of the Company's mines in Colombia, including mine safety, shotcrete for underground support, mine ventilation and backfill technology.
"We are delighted to add a seasoned professional such as Mark to our senior management team. Now that our Cordero Mine is in commercial production, the focus will be on the optimization of the mining method and mine production,” Javier Cordova, Soma’s CEO said in a statement.
Cordova said that Soma’s aim is to increase production at the Cordero mine from the current 400 tons per day (tpd) to 700 tpd by mid-year 2023 to justify re-starting the el Limon mill, which is currently on care and maintenance.
The Colombian operations team will report directly to Bren, Cordova noted.
“His experience and knowledge will greatly contribute to managing the mining operations and assessing potential new technologies and methods, including additional mechanization, the application of shotcrete and the implementation of enhanced safety protocols,” the CEO added. “We are very pleased to add Mark to the team."
Soma Gold owns two adjacent mining properties in Antioquia, Colombia with a combined milling capacity of 675tpd - permitted for 1,400 tpd. The El Bagre Mill is currently operating and producing. Internally generated funds are being used to finance a regional exploration program.
The company also owns an exploration property near Tucuma, Para State, Brazil that is currently under option to Ero Copper Corp.
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