Mutapa Gold Resources (MGR) chief executive Trevor Barnard will step down from his position with effect from May 1, 2026, the company has announced.
His departure comes just four months after the establishment of MGR, one of several mineral-focused entities created under the Mutapa Investment Fund’s mining portfolio following the restructuring that led to the dissolution of Kuvimba Mining House.
In a statement, board chairman Charles Chikaura paid tribute to Barnard’s contribution during his tenure.
“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Trevor for his dedicated service and leadership during his tenure. Trevor, who was previously Kuvimba Mining House chief executive, played a significant role in strengthening KMH as well as MGR’s strategic direction, driving growth and overseeing key projects, and we are grateful for this contribution,” he said.
The company has appointed Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya as substantive chief executive. He previously served as head of the gold cluster at Kuvimba Mining House and most recently as MGR’s chief finance officer.
Chikaura expressed confidence in the new appointment, saying:
“He is well-suited to take the company forward. We wish Patrick well in this role and we offer him all the support that he requires to take MGR forward.”
The leadership change comes at a time when gold producers are grappling with the dual challenge of maintaining output while containing costs amid volatile global bullion prices and domestic economic pressures.
Despite the transition, industry observers do not expect any immediate disruption to MGR’s operations, citing Maseva-Shayawabaya’s extensive experience in the gold sector and his familiarity with the group’s assets.
MGR operates several key gold mines, including Freda Rebecca Gold Mine and Jena Mine, and is prioritising the extension of the life of Shamva Mine through a US$150 million redevelopment programme.
The company has set an ambitious production target, aiming to increase consolidated gold output to about 250,000 ounces annually over the next three to four years.
Meanwhile, at Elvington Mine, operations are currently being conducted under a contract mining arrangement with artisanal miners, with plans for future redevelopment already under consideration. – TML