Harte Gold Announces Appointments of CEO and COO

 

TORONTO, Nov. 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HARTE GOLD CORP. (“Harte Gold” or the “Company”) (TSX: HRT / OTC: HRTFF / Frankfurt: H4O) is pleased to announce the following executive appointments:

• Sam Coetzer to President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
• Dr. Martin Raffield to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Stephen G. Roman, Chairman of Harte Gold commented “We are pleased to welcome Sam and Martin to Harte Gold.  Both Sam and Martin have visited the Sugar Zone mine site and are confident they will deliver operational success.  As former CEO of Golden Star, Mr. Coetzer successfully transitioned the company from open pit operations to an underground-only producer, increased its profile in the capital markets and dramatically grew market capitalization which in turn provided shareholders a significant return.  Mr. Coetzer brings a proven strategic mindset that will benefit all shareholders of Harte Gold.”

Sam Coetzer, President and CEO of Harte Gold commented “I am very excited to join Harte Gold as CEO.  I see tremendous potential in the Sugar Zone property and believe the operational challenges experienced to-date can be resolved.  Upon Martin and I taking office, our near-term focus is to drive stronger operational performance, optimize underground operations, ensure the paste plant is operational by year end and execute a 2020 mine plan and strategy that is achievable.  We look forward to delivering these results for all shareholders in the coming months.”

Appointment of Sam Coetzer as President, CEO and Director

Mr. Coetzer has over 30 years of international mining experience and provides Harte Gold with strong leadership skills and an extensive knowledge of underground mining operations.  Most recently, Sam was President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Star Resources Ltd.  During Mr. Coetzer’s tenure as CEO, he successfully:

• Transitioned the company from open pit operations to an underground-only producer
• Attracted institutional capital including a large strategic investment
• Grew the capital markets profile and increased overall share trading volume

Prior to Golden Star, Sam held numerous senior management positions for global mining companies, including Senior Vice President, South American Operations for Kinross Gold, COO of Xstrata Nickel, COO of Xstrata Coal South Africa and Managing Director for Placer Dome Inc. in Africa.  Mr. Coetzer holds a degree in mining engineering from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Mr. Coetzer has also been appointed to the Board of Directors of Harte Gold. 

Appointment of Dr. Martin Raffield as Executive Vice President and COO

Dr. Raffield has over 25 years of experience managing underground mining operations across Canada and Africa.  Most recently, Martin was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of Golden Star, after joining Golden Star as Senior Vice President, Project Development and Technical Services.  From June 2007 to 2011, Martin served as Principal Consultant and Practice Leader, SRK Consulting (US).  Prior to SRK, he was Chief Engineer and Mine Superintendent at the Campbell Mine for Placer Dome Inc.  Martin holds a Ph.D. in geotechnical engineering from the University of Wales and is a Professional Engineer registered in Ontario.

Conference Call and Webcast

Senior management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the announced management changes.  The conference call and webcast are scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Conference call and webcast details:

Tuesday November 5, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. (EDT)
Webcast                                           http://www.gowebcasting.com/10429
Toll free (North America)                  1-800-319-4610
International                                     416-915-3239

An archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website www.hartegold.com.

Board Renewal

Pursuant to the press release announced August 28, 2019, Fergus P. Kerr has resigned from the Board.  The Company would like to thank Mr. Kerr for his outstanding service to the Board.  We look forward to Mr. Kerr’s continued work on the Company’s Safety, Health and Environment Committee and wish Mr. Kerr all the best in his future endeavors.

Harte Gold also announces the retirement of Roger J. Emdin, Vice President Operations, effective October 31, 2019.  The Company would like to thank Roger for all his contributions over the last four years.

For further information, please contact:

Sam Coetzer                                                                                                Shawn Howarth
President and CEO                                                                                      Vice President, Corporate Development
                                                                                                                     Tel: 416-368-0999
                                                                                                                     E-mail: sh@hartegold.com

This news release includes "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which are based on the opinions and estimates of management and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, there being no events of default or breaches of key financing agreements, including agreements with BNP Paribas and Appian; the Company being able to attract and retain qualified candidates to join the Company’s management team and Board, risks associated with the mining industry, including operational risks in exploration, development and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections in relation to production, costs and expenses; the uncertainty surrounding the ability of the Company to obtain all permits, consents or authorizations required for its operations and activities; and health, safety and environmental risks, the risk of commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, the ability of Harte Gold to fund the capital and operating expenses necessary to achieve the business objectives of Harte Gold, the uncertainty associated with commercial negotiations and negotiating with foreign governments and risks associated with international business activities, as well as those risks described in public disclosure documents filed by the Company.  Due to the risks, uncertainties and assumptions inherent in forward-looking statements, prospective investors in securities of the Company should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors are not exhaustive.  The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or in any other documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.