Scandinavia-based Akobo Minerals, which holds gold exploration assets in Ethiopia, has appointed Helge Rushfeldt as head of its mining operations, with effect from July 1.

With more than 20 years' experience in the Norwegian mining industry, he is said to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Akobo team as it transitions from development to production.

Rushfeldt has been a consultant to the Norwegian mining and minerals industry for the last ten years. He has also worked at many of Norway’s major mines and mineral processing facilities including Titania, Norwegian Talc and Hustadmarmor. His scope of activity has ranged from production management to exploration projects.

Rushfeldt was VP, then president, of the Norwegian Mining Association between 2012 and 2015. He is also the co-author of a Norwegian book on health, safety and environment in the mining industry, published in 2020.

He holds an MSc in Mineral Processing from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway.

Rushfeldt has been a board member at Akobo since late 2021. He recently spent two weeks on-site in Ethiopia learning more about the Segele project and building relationships with the operations team.

“As a board member at Akobo for the past 20 months, I have developed a good understanding of the strategic direction of the company and I am now looking forward to bringing my experience to bear on supporting the business at an operational level. With full gold production in view, it is an exciting time for everybody connected with the company and I am looking forward to playing my part in its success," Rushfeldt comments.

“At Akobo Minerals, we are committed to delivering mining operations of the highest international standards and I believe Helge will help us achieve that goal. I look forward to working with him and the entire management group to continue driving innovation and excellence at Akobo and in the wider Ethiopian mining industry,” adds Akobo CEO Jørgen Evjen.