[miningmx.com] – MZI Khumalo’s Metallon Gold is eyeing further growth in Zimbabwe – where it owns five gold mines – after appointing a CEO who is expected to spear-head the firm’s expansion projects in a bid to stamp its position as the country’s biggest gold producer.
Khumalo announced the appointment of Ken Mekani as CEO on Tuesday morning, saying he will help Metallon Gold focus more on “gold production growth’ in Zimbabwe.
The company also hinted that Metallon Gold will pursue new gold mining projects in Zimbabwe. The southern African country has projected bullion output of about 17 tonnes for this year as it eyes a return to the London Bullion Market.
“Ken will continue to focus on gold production growth in Zimbabwe both at current operations and new projects. He will be involved with . developing new opportunities,’ said Metallon Gold.
Khumalo, former CEO of the group, will remain non-executive chairman and will work with Mekani to achieve this objective, he said.
About four of Metallon Gold’s properties in Zimbabwe – Howmine, Mazowe, Arcturus and Shamva – are operational and the company has said that it is targeting 150,000 ounces of gold from its mines this year after it produced 99,000 ounces in 2014.
The government in April said in a gazette that Metallon Gold had applied to convert its Redwing gold property into a mining lease. Dewatering works at the mine have been in progress after operations were suspended in 2005 owing to flooding.
