Cobra Resources PLC (LON:COBR) announced the appointment of Rupert Verco as chief executive with effect from July 12.
Verco is a mining specialist with over 14 years' experience in Australia and internationally and has focused on areas including resource definition, reserve optimisation, mine planning, and mine operation, said the gold explorer. He has managed operations through all phases of the mining cycle on projects that cover a range of commodities including gold, copper, uranium, tin, and iron ore.
Since 2018, he has been a Technical Mining Specialist consultant with Xenco Mining Services in Australia. Prior to that he was Mine Manager at Tarcoola Gold in South Australia from 2016-2018 and Surface Mining Supervisor at the Challenger gold mine in South Australia from 2015-2016.
"I am delighted to welcome Rupert to Cobra,” said chairman Greg Hancock “His experience in South Australia, from resource definition to building mining operations, will be valuable to the business as we advance the Wudinna gold project.
“In addition, this will see the establishment of an exploration office in Adelaide, much closer to the company's project,” he said.
He also added his thanks to managing director Craig Moulton for his hard work.
As previously announced, Moulton will remain with the company, until 16 September 2021, and will work with Verco to ensure a smooth transition of executive responsibilities including for the ongoing work programme at Wudinna in South Australia.
“Cobra's current gold resource sits within the highly prospective Gawler Craton that hosts some of Australia's premier operating mines and BHP's more recent and exciting Oak Dam IOCG [iron oxide copper gold] discovery,” said Verco.
“I look forward to applying my experience in Gawler Craton gold deposits to Cobra's land tenure, growing shareholder value through developing Wudinna's existing resources, and applying strategic exploration to the list of appealing targets," he said.