KAMLOOPS — There is a change at the top of the KGHM-Ajax project.
The company has announced Project Manager Clyde Gillespie has left the position, and has been succeeded by geologist Chris Wild.
Wild says the mine project wants to head into a new direction with community engagement.
“Clyde left his position. We just had a different direction to move into, so we had a lot of discussion about this. This was not a knee-jerk reaction, we just wanted to make sure that we were moving in the right direction here,” said Wild.
“I have utmost respect for Clyde Gillispie, we had an excellent relationship. He did a wonderful job for us, so that part is good. We are moving just in a somewhat different direction.”
Wild adds as a longtime Kamloops resident, he will add a different perspective to promoting the project.
“I’m part of the community. I’ve been part of the community over 13 years now. I’ve been working for Ajax for about two and a half years now. We have deep roots in the community, and I think we want to reflect those deep roots in promoting the project going forward.”
The move comes just days after the company laid seven people off from its Kamloops operation, consolidating duties to Vancouver.
Wild says the public should not interpret the front office upheaval as instability, but as a re-configuring to address the economic reality, as well as where the project stands in its timeline.
In addition to the change at project manager, the company has named Jan Peisert the project’s new CEO.
“Jan is moving into the position, and replacing the former CEO. We are actually comfortable with the direction this is heading. This is a real commitment from the company to the project, and that is really what we need at this time.”
Peisert presently heads up KGHM International and is based in Vancouver.
