IAMGOLD has named Jerzy Orzechowski as the executive project director for the construction of its Côté Gold project near Gogama.
The US$1.3-billion open-pit gold mine, located about halfway between Sudbury and Timmins, is currently under construction and is expected to be complete in mid-2023.
In a news release, Gordon Stothart, IAMGOLD’s president and CEO, welcomed Orzechowski to the role.
"Jerzy's appointment is effective immediately and follows his full review of the project. His wealth of experience with large projects will be invaluable in bringing Côté from construction to production,” he said in a Dec. 22 news release.
“The management of the project will report to Jerzy and he will report directly to the CEO and will be involved in the oversight of the project by the Côté Oversight Committee of the Board. His appointment reinforces the company's dedication to ensure that the Côté Gold project is delivered as a model for Canadian mining for many years to come."
Orzechowski is a senior executive specializing in project development, management, construction, and strategic planning with 40 years of experience.
Recent projects of note that Orzechowski has worked on include the Timok copper project in Serbia in his role with Rakita Doo (a subsidiary of Nevsun Resources) and the EMAL aluminum smelter complex in Abu Dhabi in his capacity as a project director with SNC Lavalin.
Last December, IAMGOLD announced Wood PLC, a Toronto engineering and consulting company, had been hired to manage the construction project.
It’s expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs during construction and 450 during operations.
When operational, the mine is expected to produce a yearly average of 367,000 ounces of gold over an 18-year mine life.
The deposit contains an estimated gold reserve of more than 7 million ounces, but exploration at the site continues.
In the same release, IAMGOLD said Daniella Dimitrov, the company’s chief financial officer and executive vice-president, would take on expanded duties in the role of strategy and corporate development.
Dimitrov, who joined IAMGOLD in March 2021, has previously held positions at Sprott Capital Partners, Orvana Minerals, Baffinland Iron, and Dundee Securities.
