Mutapa Gold Resources CEO quits

Published: 2 hours ago

Trevor Barnard has resigned as chief executive officer of Mutapa Gold Resources, just three months after leading the company's launch as a standalone gold entity.

The company's board, chaired by Charles Chikaura, confirmed the development in a letter to staff and stakeholders, expressing appreciation for Barnard's role in shaping the new entity's strategy.

"Trevor… played a significant role in strengthening KMH as well as MGR's strategic direction, driving growth and overseeing key projects," Chikaura said.

No reasons were given for the abrupt departure.

Barnard, who previously headed Kuvimba Mining House, had been the public face of MGR's ambitious growth plans following its launch in February under the broader restructuring of the Mutapa Investment Fund.

He had outlined plans to more than double gold production within three to four years, anchored by the development of a major open-cast operation at Shamva, targeting annual output of around 80,000 ounces. A second project at Jena was also part of the expansion roadmap.

Barnard had argued that separating gold operations from other minerals would improve investor confidence and unlock targeted financing.

Taking over the role is Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya, formerly the company's chief finance officer and head of the gold cluster at Kuvimba Mining House.

The board said it has full confidence in his leadership as the company moves forward with its expansion plans.

The leadership change comes amid a sweeping restructuring announced in February, which split Kuvimba Mining House's assets into five specialised units: Mutapa Gold Resources, Mutapa Base Metals, Mutapa Energy Minerals, Mutapa Platinum Group and Mutapa Frontier, each focusing on distinct segments of Zimbabwe's mining sector.
- zimlive