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Firefinch beefs-up executive team as it targets rapid growth

Last updated: 17:45 11 Nov 2020 EST, First published: 17:29 11 Nov 2020 EST

Andrew Taplin, who has been appointed to the chief operating officer role, has experience as a qualified engineer with Rio Tinto and BGC Contracting and holds an MBA.

This is the bloke who was Chief Operating Officer. Note the date, 11 November, 2020.

Did anyone ever travel to Mali to see what was really happening with the mine and the staff?

Did the Perth office take any responsibility for, or oversee the actions of the in-country employees?

Firefinch Ltd (ASX:FFX) has made multiple new appointments which strengthen the board and executive team as the company increases its focus on achieving rapid growth.

Brett Fraser, who currently holds a position as director of central-west African iron ore company Sundance Resources Ltd, has joined the board as a non-executive director.

His deep knowledge, particularly in the areas of business acquisitions, business strategy and corporate governance, will be an asset to the company.

Andrew Taplin, who has been appointed to the chief operating officer role, has experience as a qualified engineer with Rio Tinto and BGC Contracting and holds an MBA.

“Great people foundation of great companies”

Executive chairman Alistair Cowden said: “Great people are the foundation of great companies and I am honoured to welcome five key appointments to the Firefinch team.

“We are thrilled to have attracted such great talent as we ramp-up operations at Morila and transform Firefinch to a mid-tier gold producer.

“Our team at Morila, led by general manager Drissa Arama, has also been greatly strengthened. We welcome Drissa and all his team to Firefinch.

“Speaking to the team earlier this week, I can feel their excitement at this new chapter for one of West Africa’s great mines.”

Further appointments

Denis Matanda has been appointed group mining engineer after eight years with Resolute Mining at the Syama mine in Mali, where he was manager of surface mining and previously with Barrick and AngloGold in East and West Africa.

Matanda brings more than 17 years’ experience in mine production, mine planning, projects and management. He has a BSc in Mining Engineering.

Amadou Maiga has been appointed finance and administration manager at the Morila mine.

He is an accountant and was previously finance manager at the Loulo and Morila mines for 12 years and has deep knowledge of Morila.

Irina Latonenko will join the company as financial controller in the corporate office.

Latonenko is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in West Africa, including with Byrnecut Offshore Group where she held the role as commercial manager.

Corporate Governance refers to the way in which companies are governed and to what purpose. It identifies who has power and accountability, and who makes decisions. It is, in essence, a toolkit that enables management and the board to deal more effectively with the challenges of running a company. Corporate governance ensures that businesses have appropriate decision-making processes and controls in place so that the interests of all stakeholders (shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers and the community) are balanced.