Mining
Friday, January 5th, 2024 3:02 pm EDT
Key Points
Termination of Endeavour Mining CEO for Serious Misconduct:
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- The board of directors of Endeavour Mining PLC has terminated its president and chief executive officer, Sebastien de Montessus, with immediate effect due to serious misconduct. The termination follows an investigation into an irregular payment instruction issued by de Montessus related to an asset disposal undertaken by the company. The irregular payment is stated to be $5.9 million (U.S.). This information came to light during a review of acquisitions and disposals conducted by the board. Additionally, allegations were made against de Montessus in October 2023 through the company’s confidential whistle-blowing channel, relating to his personal conduct with colleagues. An external investigation had been conducted, and the board was considering appropriate action at the time of termination. Sebastien de Montessus has been removed from the company’s board of directors.
Appointment of Ian Cockerill as CEO:
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- In response to the termination of de Montessus, the board has appointed Ian Cockerill, the current deputy chair of the board, as the chief executive officer and executive director with immediate effect. Ian Cockerill brings over four decades of experience in the global natural resources industry, having held senior roles in operational, project, and executive positions worldwide. His career includes executive roles at major international mining companies, such as chief executive officer of Gold Fields and Anglo Coal, a subsidiary of Anglo American. Cockerill will review his other current directorships in light of his new appointment.
Remuneration and Disclosure:
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- Full details of the impact of de Montessus’s termination on his remuneration will be disclosed on the company’s website in compliance with Section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006. This information will also be included in the director remuneration report within the annual report and accounts for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023, and subsequent years as appropriate. The announcement mentions that Mr. Cockerill’s remuneration as the new CEO will align with the approved director remuneration policy, with details to be disclosed in the company’s 2023 annual report. The announcement concludes by stating that it contains inside information for the purposes of European Union Regulation (MAR) as part of United Kingdom domestic law.
The board of directors of Endeavour Mining PLC has terminated the president and chief executive officer, Sebastien de Montessus, for serious misconduct with immediate effect. This follows an investigation by the board into an irregular payment instruction issued by him in relation to an asset disposal undertaken by the company. The amount of this irregular payment instruction is $5.9-million (U.S.). The board recently became aware of this in the course of a review of acquisitions and disposals, which is continuing. Mr. de Montessus has been removed from the company’s board of directors with immediate effect.
Separately, in October, 2023, allegations were made against Mr. de Montessus through the company’s confidential whistle-blowing channel relating to his personal conduct with colleagues. Following a recent external investigation, the board had received the findings and, at the point of termination, was considering the appropriate course of action.
The board has appointed Ian Cockerill (currently deputy chair of the board) as chief executive officer and executive director with immediate effect.
Mr. Cockerill has over four decades of experience in the global natural resources industry. During his career, he has held senior roles covering operational, project and executive positions around the world, having held executive roles at major international mining companies, including chief executive officer of Gold Fields and Anglo Coal, a subsidiary of Anglo American, as well as non-executive positions. Mr. Cockerill will be reviewing his other current directorships in light of his appointment as chief executive officer and executive director of Endeavour.
Remuneration
Full details of the impact of the termination of Mr. de Montessus on his remuneration will be disclosed on the company’s website in due course in compliance with Section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006 and in the director remuneration report within the annual report and accounts for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023, and subsequent years, as appropriate.
Mr. Cockerill will be paid in accordance with the approved director remuneration policy. Full details of his remuneration terms will be disclosed in the company’s 2023 annual report.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (European Union) No. 596/2014 (MAR) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
About Endeavour Mining PLC
Endeavour Mining is one of the world’s senior gold producers and the largest in West Africa, with operating assets across Senegal, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso and a strong portfolio of advanced development projects and exploration assets in the highly prospective Birimian greenstone belt across West Africa.
A member of the World Gold Council, Endeavour is committed to the principles of responsible mining and delivering sustainable value to its employees, stakeholders and the communities where it operates. Endeavour is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the symbol EDV.
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