West African Resources Limited (ASX, TSXV: WAF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Connelly as an independent non-executive Chairman.
Mr Connelly is the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Papillon Resources Limited, a Mali-based gold developer which recently merged with Vancouver-based B2Gold Corp in a US$570 million deal.
Previously he was Chief Operating Officer of Endeavour Mining Corporation following its merger with Adamus Resources Limited where he was Managing Director and CEO.
Mr Connelly has more than 27 years of experience in the mining industry, and has held senior executive positions with Newmont Mining Corporation and Inmet Mining Corporation. He has extensive experience in financing, development, construction and operation of mining projects in a variety of commodities including gold, base metals and other resources in West Africa, Australia, North America and Europe.
Mr Connelly replaces Mr Francis Harper, who has resigned from the board. West African Managing Director Richard Hyde said Mr Connelly would provide important skills to the Company during its transition from developer to producer.
Mr Hyde also thanked Mr Harper for his important contribution to West African since its founding.
“Since joining the board in 2009, Francis has been a very supportive director and shareholder of West African Resources. He has been instrumental in capital raisings for the Company, through Blackwood Capital, including seed funding in 2009 and at IPO in 2010.
Mr Connelly commented.
“The West African team has done an extraordinary job of advancing the Mankarga Project since the acquisition just 18 months ago. I expect this strong project development to continue as the exploration team drills targets nearby the proposed starter pit and across the exploration portfolio.
West African Resources is coming into a pivotal time in the development of the Mankarga Project, and my experience in the West African region will compliment West African’s management team. I am very pleased to join the West African board of directors.”
Subject to shareholder approval, Mr Connelly will be offered 2,000,000 unlisted options pursuant to the West African Resources Limited Share Option Plan. These Options will expire three years from the date of issue and will vest on first production of gold from a heap leach starter project in Burkina Faso. The exercise price will be 14.5 cents each.