Matador Mining Ltd (ASX:MZZ, OTCQX:MZZMF) has appointed highly experienced and well respected Canadian-based mining professional Sam Pazuki as its chief executive officer with effect from May 1, 2022.
His extensive global capital markets network and gold industry leadership expertise will assist Matador in leveraging its current and future success as it grows the business, advances the Cape Ray Gold Project and expands its shareholder base in North America.
Pazuki will be based in Toronto, Canada.
Ian Murray will continue as executive chairman to facilitate a seamless management transition and will move into a non-executive chairman role in due course.
Next phase of growth
The appointment follows the completion of the board of directors’ comprehensive executive search process that assessed a strong field of candidates.
Chairman Ian Murray in welcoming Pazuki, said: “Following an extensive executive search, we are pleased to have attracted such an accomplished and recognised executive for the role of Matador’s CEO.
“Sam has the specific skills and attributes we require to take Matador through its next phase of growth and he complements the strong exploration team we continue to build in Newfoundland.
“Sam and the Newfoundland team will complement our existing small Australian team. I look forward to working with Sam as we execute on our strategy and continue to create value for all our stakeholders.”
Compelling asset
Pazuki added: “The company has a highly seasoned and successful board of directors led by Ian Murray and is supported by solid technical teams in Newfoundland and in Australia.
“The Cape Ray Gold Project is a compelling asset, with sizeable expansion potential and a strategic land package, in a top-tier jurisdiction.
“Matador is supported by a strong register of Australian and North American shareholders and I aim to build and expand on this support in 2022 and well beyond.
“Newfoundland is one the remaining great frontiers for mining, particularly given increased geopolitical risks in many other parts of the world.
“The Province has great geological potential for gold and other key commodities the world covets and is supported by world-class workers and infrastructure.
“I have had the good fortune to work with many Newfoundlanders over the course of my career, particularly in the Western Canadian energy industry.
Projects such as the Cape Ray Gold Project also provides Newfoundlanders an opportunity to return home and advance the minerals extractives industry.”
Proven track record
Pazuki is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and a Masters of Finance.
He has a proven track record and experience in strategy, mergers & acquisitions, capital markets and investor relations.
He will join Matador after nearly 10 years with dual-listed OceanaGold Corporation (TSX:OGC), where he led the investor relations and corporate development functions, most recently as senior vice president, corporate development.
The new CEO helped establish OceanaGold as a global mid-tier gold producer and was instrumental in OceanaGold’s expansion into North America.
He helped build a global shareholder register and was OceanaGold’s primary interface with the capital markets.
Prior to OceanaGold, Pazuki advised major mining companies, including BHP Billiton, as a management consultant within Ernst & Young’s Advisory Services practice in Toronto, and was part of a team that helped establish a Climate Change and Sustainability practice for the firm.
Prior to this, he held roles in business development and asset management in Calgary and Toronto for Enbridge Inc (TSX:ENB), a multinational energy company with a market capitalisation of around A$100 billion.