Canada’s Columbus Gold (CGT: TSX) announced this week that its President & COO, Rock Lefrançois, was promoted to President & CEO.
Lefrançois was the company’s Chief Operating Officer for six years and in 2018 assumed the role of President. His focus has been on increasing Columbus’ presence in French Guiana with the idea of tapping into the resources of an underexplored segment of the Guiana Shield.
“During his tenure, he successfully directed Columbus’ Montagne d’Or project through exploration, definition drilling, resource expansion, and feasibility, and he has been vital in managing the Montagne d’Or joint-venture between Columbus and its partner Nordgold,” a press release issued by the firm reads.
Rock Lefrançois.
Montagne d’Or, whose Proven and Probable Reserves for the operation have been estimated in 2.75 million ounces gold, is comprised of eight mining concessions and two exclusive exploration permits, covering an area of 190 square kilometres and it is located close to the town of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, in the northwestern part of the French overseas territory.
According to Columbus, Lefrançois set himself the mission of adding the property to a portfolio of high-quality gold exploration projects in French Guiana.
“We are very pleased that Rock has assumed the role of CEO,” said Robert Giustra, Chair of the Board of Columbus Gold, in the media statement. “His extensive experience and reputation in French Guiana will be of tremendous benefit.”
The Vancouver-based company described Lefrançois as a professional geologist with a 30-year trajectory in the mining industry and experience in evaluation, exploration and development of various types of precious and base metal deposits throughout North, Central and South America.
The now CEO spent 15 years working for mid-tier mining companies such as Cambior and Aur Resources, where his role was of Senior Geologist responsible for the implementation of project generative and advanced acquisition programs, and the management of exploration and extensive resource/reserve definition drilling programs and economic assessments.
He was also Vice-President, and then President & COO of NioGold Mining, where he contributed to negotiating strategic partnerships with mid-tier producers that concluded in 2016 with a successful takeover by Osisko Mining.