Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX:PDI) has made changes to its board and management as the company enters the next phase of growth, with parallel aims of developing the Bankan Project while continuing to explore its large exploration licence holdings around Guinea.
Simon Jackson has been appointed to the board as non-executive chairman following the resignation of Francis Harper.
Jackson is a chartered accountant with over 25 years of experience in the management of resource companies, particularly in Africa.
He was a senior member of the management team of TSX listed Red Back Mining Inc., a company that financed, developed and operated two gold mines in West Africa culminating in a takeover by Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX:K) in 2010 that valued Red Back at C$9.3 billion.
Jackson was then founding president & CEO and later chairman of Orca Gold Inc (TSX-V:ORG), a company that discovered and is advancing the Block 14 gold project in Sudan.
Director of multiple ASX and TSX listed companies
Simon Jackson is currently the non-executive chairman of Sarama Resources Ltd (TSX-V:SWA, OTC:SRMMF) and has been a director of multiple ASX and TSX listed companies including Cardinal Resources Ltd (ASX:CDV).
Jackson said: “It is a privilege to join Predictive Discovery.
“The Bankan Project is a large, exciting and growing discovery.
“Gold opportunities of this nature and scale are rare and I look forward to being a part of the team that can progress this exceptional project for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Francis Harper has decided to step down from the board of Predictive in view of increasing activities on Tietto Minerals Ltd (ASX:TIE)’s mine development in Cote D’Ivoire.
New CEO
Following the announcement of a maiden resource of 3.65 million ounces of gold at the Bankan Project, Predictive is now progressing on a dual-track strategy of rapidly expanding and developing the Bankan Project, while continuing to progress its regional and other exploration activities in Guinea.
To achieve this strategy, current non-executive director Andrew Pardey will be moving into the chief executive officer before the end of this year.
Pardey is a geologist with more than 30 years of experience covering exploration, project development, construction and operation.
He served as the CEO of US$1.5 billion LSE/TSX-listed Centamin PLC (TSX:CEE) which owns the Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt.
Pardey was a major driving force in bringing Sukari into production, having joined during the transition of the operation from construction into production.
He also held senior management roles at the Anglogold Ashanti Siguiri Mine and Nordgold Lefa Mine both of which are located within Guinea’s Siguiri Basin which also hosts Predictive’s Bankan Project.
Pardey is currently chairman of Tanga Resources Ltd (ASX:TRL) and non-executive director of Marvel Gold Ltd (ASX:MVL).
Paul Roberts to transition to the role of technical director
Commenting on his appointment, Pardey said: “It is a pleasure to move into this role and be part of the team that will lead this project forward.
“Paul has been the driving force behind getting the project to where it is today in such a short period of time and I look forward to continue working with Paul and further develop the team to continue to grow and take this project forward for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Predictive’s long-serving managing director, Paul Roberts will transition to the role of technical director, to continue his success at discovery, with responsibility for driving the company’s exploration projects, including its regional Bankan Project area and identifying new greenfield opportunities.