Chinese miner hires Canadian CEO as review continues on Nunavut mine deal

The Chinese company trying to buy TMAC Resources Ltd. has appointed a Barrick Gold Corp. veteran as CEO of its Canadian operations even though the deal is still being reviewed by Ottawa.

Hong Kong-traded Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd. says it has appointed Mark Wall as CEO of Streamers Gold Mining Corp. Ltd., its wholly owned subsidiary in Canada.

Shandong's $230-million offer to buy TMAC, owner of the Hope Baymining project in Nunavut, has received Chinese regulatory approvals and TMAC shareholders voted in favour of it in June.

The Hope Bay gold mine project islocated 125 kilometres southwest of Cambridge Bay.

The Commissioner of Competition has issued a "no action"letter, but it is still being reviewed under the Investment CanadaAct and Ottawa could veto the deal if it finds it would harmnational security.

Wall has more than 24 years of experience in the mining industry, most recently at Nevada Copper Corp.

During a 12-year stint at Barrick that ended in 2018, theCanadian citizen served as executive general manager of the Veladerogold mine in Argentina.

Shandong bought a 50 per cent stake in themine in the high Andes mountains three years ago.