VANCOUVER, British Columbia — LaFleur Minerals Inc. has announced the appointments of Marc Ducharme as Vice President of Exploration and Mike Petrina as Vice President of Mining Operations. These strategic hires bolster the company's technical and operational expertise as it advances the Swanson Gold Project and prepares to restart production at its wholly-owned Beacon Gold Mill in Quebec's Abitibi Gold Belt.
Experienced Leadership
Both executives bring decades of proven success in discovery, project development, and mine operations. Ducharme previously served as VP Exploration at Probe Gold Inc. before its $770 million acquisition by Fresnillo plc in January 2026. Petrina contributed to Probe Gold's Novador project through his work at Moose Mountain Technical Services. Their combined experience strengthens LaFleur's vertically integrated mine-to-mill strategy.
Marc Ducharme's Role
Ducharme is a highly accomplished exploration geologist with over 35 years of experience in Quebec's Abitibi region, Ontario, and international jurisdictions. He has led exploration programs from grassroots discovery to advanced-stage development, including oversight of underground and open-pit gold operations. Notably, he contributed to Wesdome's Kiena Deep deposit in Val-d'Or. As a Val-d'Or resident, he will advance exploration across LaFleur's portfolio, including the Swanson Gold Deposit and McKenzie East Gold Project.
In addition to aggressive exploration following a recent large-scale gold discovery at Swanson, Ducharme will identify and evaluate acquisition targets near the Beacon Gold Mill to secure future mill feed and enhance operational flexibility.
Chairman's Comments
Kal Malhi, Chairman of LaFleur Minerals, stated: "We are delighted to welcome Marc to the LaFleur team at such a transformative time. His instrumental role in Probe Gold's success at projects like Novador, McKenzie Break, Croinor, and Beaufor underscores his ability to drive discovery and value creation. Marc's deep familiarity with the Abitibi region will enable us to accelerate our regional programs and unlock the full potential of our Val-d'Or land package."
Strategic Implications
The appointments come as LaFleur focuses on new discoveries at the Swanson Gold Project and a growing land position in Val-d'Or. The company aims to prioritize higher-grade discoveries, support efficient permitting, and reduce overall project risk.
