Because of "health reasons," the executive chairman of gold miner AuRico Gold (NYSE: AUQ) tendered his resignation yesterday, effective July 1.
Colin Benner, who has served as chairman since April 12, 2010, and as executive chairman since July 17, 2012, has been on a leave of absence since April 30.
AuRico Gold President and CEO Scott Perry said: "On behalf of the board and our employees, we thank Colin for his significant and lasting contributions. Colin's leadership and extensive mining experience have been invaluable to the company. We want to take this opportunity to wish Colin and his family our very best."
The board of directors has established a process to identify a new non-executive chairman, but in the interim, the company's lead director, Ron Smith, will continue to serve as the company's non-executive chairman. Smith has been a non-executive director at AuRico since 2009 and currently serves as chair of the audit committee.
Headquartered in Toronto, AuRico Gold has mines and projects across North America, including its Young-Davidson gold mine in northern Ontario and the El Chanate mine in Mexico.
