AuMEGA Metals Ltd (ASX:AAM, TSX:AUM, OTCQB:AUMMF, FRA:FRA: MA30) has appointed experienced mining executive and geologist Rafael Gradim as president, effective August 1, 2026, as the company advances exploration across its district-scale gold portfolio in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Michael Skead has stepped down as president, effective immediately, for personal reasons. Gradim will be based in Toronto and will take responsibility for AuMEGA’s exploration activities, including planning, execution and advancement of exploration programs across the company’s land package.
Gradim brings more than 22 years of experience across exploration, resource development, mine geology, corporate development and mining-focused private equity. AuMEGA said his background gives him a mix of technical expertise, strategic judgement and capital markets perspective.
He has contributed to the advancement of major gold projects from early-stage exploration through to production and has led technical due diligence on hundreds of mineral assets globally. Before joining AuMEGA, he held senior technical and corporate development roles with Vale Base Metals, Resource Capital Funds, Eldorado Gold and Gold Fields Limited.
Managing director and CEO Sam Pazuki said Gradim’s exploration leadership and technical depth made him well-suited to lead AuMEGA’s next phase of growth across its Newfoundland portfolio.
“We are very pleased to welcome Rafael as President of AuMEGA. Rafael brings an exceptional blend of exploration leadership, technical depth and strategic perspective gained across major mining companies, corporate development and in the buy-side. His proven ability to identify overlooked opportunities, assess geological potential and align exploration strategy with shareholder objectives makes him ideally suited to lead our exploration efforts as we advance the next phase of growth across our Newfoundland portfolio.
“I also want to express my sincere appreciation to Mike for the significant impact he has had on AuMEGA. Mike has brought tremendous technical insight and leadership to the organisation, and his contributions have helped strengthen the Company’s exploration platform and strategic direction. I am grateful for the value Mike has brought to the organization and wish him all the very best.”
Newfoundland portfolio in focus
Gradim said AuMEGA’s Newfoundland portfolio stood out as a district-scale opportunity with the potential to unlock significant value through disciplined, technically driven exploration. He said the company would focus on prioritising the highest-impact opportunities across the portfolio.
“I am excited to join AuMEGA at such an important stage in the Company’s development. Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to evaluate hundreds of mineral projects globally, and AuMEGA’s Newfoundland portfolio stands out as a district-scale opportunity with tremendous potential to unlock significant value through disciplined, technically driven exploration.
"The company has assembled a highly prospective land package, is supported by one of the strongest shareholder registers in the sector, and benefits from a Board and team with deep exploration, development, capital markets and operating experience. I look forward to working with Sam, the Board and the broader AuMEGA team to prioritize the highest-impact opportunities across the portfolio and help drive the Company’s next phase of growth.”
The appointment comes as AuMEGA continues work across a land package spanning 110 kilometres along the Cape Ray-Valentine Shear Zone, described by the company as Newfoundland’s largest identified gold structure. The zone hosts Equinox Gold (TSX:EQX)’s Valentine Gold Project as well as AuMEGA’s existing mineral resource.
About AuMEGA Metals
AuMEGA Metals is exploring a district-scale gold portfolio in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, including ground along the Cape Ray-Valentine Shear Zone and a 27-kilometre stretch of the Hermitage Flexure.
The company’s Cape Ray Shear Zone hosts several high-potential targets and an existing defined gold mineral resource of 6.2 million tonnes at 2.25 g/t gold for 450,000 ounces in indicated resources, plus 3.4 million tonnes at 1.44 g/t gold for 160,000 ounces in inferred resources.