Anthony joined the CSE-listed explorer as COO in July last year and was tasked with leading the refurbishment of the Bibiani mine, where the company plans the first gold pour in the third quarter of this year. Production in the first year is expected to be 175,000 ounces of gold, 220,000oz for year two and 200,000-255,000oz for years three-to-eight. 

"David Anthony has [more than] 40 years' experience in mine-project development and operation. His experience includes mine and process plant design, permitting, construction and operation," Asante said. 

"He has also worked in Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Indonesia, Chile and Argentina to design, deliver and operate open-pit and underground mine assets with CAPEX from $100 million to $2.6 billion and with total material movement to 65 million tonnes per year," the company added. 

He previously held the title of COO for both Cardinal Resources and African Barrick Gold. 

Asante said that MacQuarrie founded the company in 2011 with the vision of building a "flag bearer" Ghanian gold-mining company and with the "Bibiani mine on the verge of production, that vision has become a reality". 

Asante also announced that it had granted 500,000 incentive stock options at $1.75 per share for terms of five years to certain consultants and employees. 

Asante traded at C$1.66/share on March 8, which was up by 7% day-on-day. The company had a market capitalisation of C$419.53 million.