• Asante Gold appoints Campbell Baird as chief operating officer
• Baird to oversee optimization at Bibiani and Chirano mines
• Mines target 500,000 ounces annual production by 2028

Asante Gold, the Canadian operator of the Bibiani and Chirano gold mines in Ghana, announced Wednesday the appointment of Campbell Baird as chief operating officer.

In his new role, Baird will oversee ongoing optimization work at both sites, which together are expected to produce 500,000 ounces of gold annually by 2028.

"Mr. Baird joins the Company at an important stage in its development, as Asante continues to advance operational performance at both the Bibiani and Chirano Gold Mines," the company said in a statement. "In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Baird will focus on strengthening operational execution, improving production efficiencies and driving operational excellence as both operations continue their ramp-up toward planned production levels."

Asante Gold announced a growth plan for the Bibiani and Chirano mines last year, following combined output of 189,600 ounces of gold across the two sites in 2024. The strategy centers on optimization work and new processing infrastructure to support the production ramp-up. As part of that plan, the company launched a $500 million fundraising effort. Baird’s appointment forms part of that strategy.

Baird brings more than 30 years of international experience in mineral exploration, development and production. Whether his appointment will lead to operational progress at Chirano and Bibiani, and ultimately toward the 500,000-ounce target, remains to be seen.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou