MINING PEOPLE: Arctic Star Exploration, Barkerville Gold, New Gold, and Southern Geoscience Consultants

Vancouver-based Arctic Star Exploration has appointed executive director Patrick Power to the additional roles of president and CEO. Former president and CEO Scott Eldridge has resigned but remains a director of the company. Francois Vezina is the new COO of Barkerville Gold Mines in Toronto. Previously, he was VP of projects for the company. Before that, he oversaw the feasibility studies for the LaRonde II, Pinos Altos and Kittila projects belonging to Agnico Eagle. Vezina replaces Luc Lessard who stepped down from the role. New Gold, based in Toronto, has announced the departure of Cory Atiyeh, the company’s executive VP of operations. The change results from the sale of the mesquite and Peak gold mines. New Gold will now concentrate its efforts in Canada. Australian company Southern Geoscience Consultants has named Robert Hurst its Canadian chief geophysicist Americas. His many years of project management for exploration geophysics included work in North America, West and Central Africa, the Middle East, China, and India. Hurst will work from the newly established SGC office in Toronto.