AuMEGA Metals’ (ASX:AAM) Managing Director and CEO Sam Pazuki announces the appointment of Rafael Gradim as President, effective 1 August 2026.
He succeeds Michael Skead, who is stepping down immediately for personal reasons.
Gradim will be based in Toronto and will manage all exploration activities across AuMEGA’s land package in Newfoundland and Labrador.
He joins the company with over 22 years of experience in exploration, resource development, and strategic project evaluation.
Gradim has taken up roles including Technical Leader, Strategy at Vale Base Metals; Director of Geology at Resource Capital Funds; and Director, Corporate Development – Technical Evaluations at Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO).
“We are very pleased to welcome Rafael as President of AuMEGA,” Pazuki says.
He adds that Gradim holds a blend of exploration leadership, technical depth, and strategic perspective gained across major mining companies, corporate development, and in the buy-side.
“His proven ability to identify overlooked opportunities, assess geological potential, and align exploration strategy with shareholder objectives makes him ideally suited to lead our exploration efforts as we advance the next phase of growth across our Newfoundland portfolio.”
Pazuki also expresses appreciation for Skead’s impact on AuMEGA.
“Mike has brought tremendous technical insight and leadership to the organisation, and his contributions have helped strengthen the company’s exploration platform and strategic direction,” Pazuki says.
Gradim says AuMEGA’s Newfoundland portfolio stands out as a “district-scale opportunity with tremendous potential to unlock significant value through disciplined, technically driven exploration”.
“I look forward to working with Sam, the board, and the broader AuMEGA team to prioritise the highest-impact opportunities across the portfolio and help drive the company’s next phase of growth,” Gradim says.
AuMEGA’s land holdings span 110km along the Cape Ray-Valentine Shear Zone, hosting several dozen targets along with its existing defined mineral resource of 6.2 million tonnes (Mt) @ 2.25g/t gold (Au) on average for 450,000 ounces of indicated resources; and 3.4Mt grading 1.44g/t Au on average for 160,000 ounces in inferred resources.
AuMEGA Metals is a mineral explorer focused on gold and base metal discovery in Canada.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: AuMEGA Metals
