Mawson Gold Ltd (TSE:MAW) (OTCPINK:MWSNF) has given its Finnish subsidiary a management makeover ahead of a resource update for its Rajapalot gold-cobalt project this month and in the light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The group's environmental director Noora Ahola takes on the role of managing director at Mawson Oy, while experienced mining engineer Bouke van 't Riet becomes non-executive technical director at the subsidiary. Most recently, Bouke has been responsible for the technical management of Anglo American's (LON:AAL) Sakatti project in Finland.
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Tapani Hyysalo becomes chief operating officer (COO) and continues as a board member of Mawson Oy, while Michael Hudson also remains a board member and chairman of Mawson Oy.
Dr Nick Cook has been appointed as chief geologist for Mawson's global gold project portfolio.
In Finland this month, Mawson plans to release a resource upgrade for Rajapalot as well as mobilize one drill rig to targets immediately along strike from resource areas. Geophysical surveys remain ongoing and five drill rigs are planned to kick off a resource expansion program from December this year, it added.
In a statement, Mawson's CEO Mike Hudson, explained: "Providing further Finnish leadership, as well as adding mining skills and experience to the team reflects the advancement of our Finnish gold-cobalt project. It is also a reflection of the current global situation where locally-based specialist teams become even more important for project development and governance, to minimize COVID-19 related risks and complications.
"Noora, with her long term environmental and permitting leadership for Mawson, is the natural choice to assume local responsibility for our Finnish operations. Bouke, with his in-depth global and Finnish-specific mining experience brings another level of overview, as our project develops from exploration/resource expansion to permitting and potential development. Tapani will continue to keep all our non-technical operations running smoothly.
"Nick, who has been fundamental in moving the Finnish project through its exploration phase as President of the Company over the last 8 years, will now assume a more global role and move to Chief Geologist for Mawson. He will continue his overview of the Finnish geological team and provide leadership and training of the exploration teams working on Mawson's Australian assets."
Mawson is a gold-focused explorer advancing the flagship Rajapalot gold-cobalt project in Finland and its Victorian gold properties in Australia.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com