Toubani Resources (ASX:TRE) has appointed three senior executives as it prepares the Kobada Gold Project in Mali for development and eventual production.
Mark Somlyay joins as CFO, succeeding Robert Ierace, while Kerry Griffin has been promoted to operations director, and Riaan Lombard has been appointed general manager of Kobada.
Somlyay brings more than 25 years of mining finance experience, with a focus on developing and financing greenfield gold projects in West Africa.
He most recently served as CFO of Aura Energy (ASX:AEE) and previously held the same position at Chesser Resources before its acquisition by Fortuna Mining (TSX:FVI) in 2023.
Somlyay has also held senior roles with Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM), Barrick Mining (NYSE:B), Newcrest Mining, which is now owned by Newmont (ASX:NEM), and Perseus Mining (ASX:PRU). At Perseus, he helped develop and finance the Sissingué and Yaouré gold mines in Côte d’Ivoire.
Griffin joined Toubani in 2022 and has since overseen technical services, mineral resources, and exploration at Kobada. His expanded role covers project development, operational readiness, and the establishment of the project’s operating capabilities.
Meanwhile, Lombard will take overall responsibility for site operations as Kobada progresses through construction and towards commercial production.
He has more than 30 years of experience across Africa and South America, including mine construction, operations, development, and performance improvement.
Lombard previously served as group operations manager and project director at Resolute Mining (ASX:RSG), overseeing operating assets and growth projects across West Africa. He was also COO and a director of Caracal Gold (LON:GCAT), where he led gold operations and development projects in Kenya and Tanzania.
Earlier in his career, Lombard held operational roles with AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) in Mali and IAMGOLD (TSX:IMG) in Suriname.
Toubani thanks outgoing CFO Ierace for his contribution to the company.
Toubani Resources is an exploration and development company advancing the oxide-dominant Kobada Gold Project in southern Mali.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: Toubani Resources
