Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Job Title:
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Company:
Avelum Partner LLC, Kyrgyzstan – a subsidiary of Deccan Gold Mines Limited
Department:
Operations
Location:
Kyrgyzstan – Full Time / Site Based
Reporting To:
Dual reporting to Managing Director, Deccan Gold Mines Limited and General Director, Avelum Partner LLC.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The COO will provide overall technical and operational leadership for Avelum Partner LLC’s Altyn Tor Gold Project, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable execution of the Company’s mining and processing activities. The role will drive successful delivery of the 1,000 TPD gravity-CIL gold project. This role may also be required to support Deccan Gold Mines’ wider operations as business needs arise.
Responsibilities:
- Lead overall business and project performance, ensuring delivery against production, recovery, cost and safety targets, while overseeing budgets, cost control, CAPEX, resource utilisation, risk management and stakeholder engagement.
- Own commissioning, operational readiness and ramp-up of the 1,000 TPD gravity-CIL plant, ensuring achievement of throughput, recovery, availability and production targets.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams across mining, processing, engineering and maintenance, ensuring effective coordination, accountability and execution against operational plans.
- Work collaboratively with Deccan Gold’s Consulting and Technical Services team to develop life-of-mine plans, budgets, KPIs and mining and processing schedules, and translate these into effective site execution.
- Ensure robust mine-to-plant controls, including grade control, ore reconciliation, ROM management, blasting, mining, stockpiling, crusher feed, metallurgical performance and accounting practices, in accordance with Deccan Gold’s technical standards.
- Drive continuous improvement to optimise production costs, equipment utilisation and productivity, minimise environmental impact and maintain the highest standards of personnel safety.
- Support initiatives taken by Deccan Gold’s Consulting and Technical Services team to expand the resource base and extend mine life, including but not limited to geophysical surveys, resource drilling, metallurgical test work and mining studies.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Kyrgyz regulations and Deccan Gold’s standards for safety, environment, governance and operational risk.
- Advise the Managing Director and Deccan Gold leadership on major technical and operational risks, capital projects, project development, resource opportunities and other Group operations as required.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mining Engineering, Metallurgical/Process Engineering, Mineral Processing or a related discipline.
- Preferred experience of 15+ years in managing mining, mineral processing or integrated mining projects, preferably in gold or base metals, with 8-10 years in senior operational leadership roles.
- Proven experience in mine-to-plant operations, including commissioning, ramp-up and optimisation of processing facilities.
- Strong understanding of various types of mining, gravity concentration and CIL/leaching processes.
- Demonstrate ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver against production, cost, safety and operational objectives.
- International mining experience, particularly in Central Asia/CIS, is preferred.
- Strong leadership, technical judgement, project management and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Full-time presence in Kyrgyzstan is mandatory, with willingness to travel regularly based on business needs.
- Proven ability to build credibility with Boards of Directors, investors, lenders, auditors, regulators and other external stakeholders through sound judgement, transparency and commercial acumen.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, business partnering, negotiation, communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence outcomes across all levels of the organisation.
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Job Category: COO
Job Type: Full Time Site Based
Job Location: Kyrgyzstan