Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX: PRU) confirmed the appointment on May 8, 2026. Bickley will join the executive leadership team and be based out of the Company’s Dubai office, overseeing all African operations.
The timing is no coincidence. Perseus is simultaneously managing the ramp-up of its CMA Underground mine at Yaouré in Côte d’Ivoire and pushing forward with the Nyanzaga Gold Project in Tanzania, where first gold is targeted for January 2027.
A Perth-Listed Gold Miner at a Critical Crossroads
Perseus Mining runs three operating gold mines in Africa: Edikan in Ghana, and Sissingué and Yaouré in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Yaouré mine alone contributed more than half of the Company’s total group production in FY25, producing 262,000 ounces of gold.
The CMA Underground project at Yaouré completed its first underground production blast in late April 2026, signalling the operation is moving into its stoping phase ahead of steady-state production. Junior Mining Network
Meanwhile, the Nyanzaga Gold Project in Tanzania is now carrying an ore reserve of 4.0 million ounces following an updated estimate in February 2026.
The latest phase of resource definition drilling has extended the project’s mine life to 16 years, including 14 years of production at greater than 200,000 ounces per annum. Perseus Mining
Coordinating all of this across multiple countries, jurisdictions, and development timelines is precisely the kind of challenge that warranted a dedicated COO.
Wade Bickley: What He Brings to the Role
Bickley has over 25 years of industry experience, with extensive expertise in gold and base metals operations across Australia, West Africa and Southern Africa.
His most recent post was Chief Operating Officer at Appian Capital Base Metals. Before that, he served as General Manager at the Obuasi Mine in Ghana for AngloGold Ashanti.
His resume also includes:
- Head of Mining Khoemacau for Cupric Canyon Capital
- Lead and Head of Underground Mining for Anglo American
- Executive Head Mining Technical at Anglo American Platinum
That last role is particularly relevant. Perseus is, for the first time, developing a mechanised underground mine at Yaouré, making a leader with deep underground mining experience a logical addition at the top.
Bickley holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) and a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry), both from the University of Queensland.
CEO Craig Jones on the Appointment
Managing Director and CEO Craig Jones said the appointment comes at a “pivotal time” for the business.
“Wade will lead our Operations across Africa at this pivotal time as we ramp up our underground operations at Yaouré and bring Nyanzaga into production, one of Africa’s most significant new gold development projects. Wade has deep experience across mining, processing and production optimisation, and major capital project execution in complex, multi-jurisdictional African environments.”
Jones added that the Company looks forward to Bickley applying his expertise to drive performance across the portfolio.
Why This Hire Makes Sense Now
Perseus is no longer just a West African open-pit operator. The CMA Underground project marks the first mechanised underground mine in Côte d’Ivoire, which adds technical complexity the business has not managed before.
Perseus Mining’s current and development gold mine portfolio across Africa. [Perseus Mining]
Add to that the construction activity at Nyanzaga, which was 48% complete as of the March 2026 quarter with USD 220 million already spent, and the operational workload becomes clear.
The December 2025 quarterly update highlighted just how much the company is juggling: Yaouré underground development, production expansion across existing open pits, and early-stage construction in Tanzania.
Bickley’s track record of managing “complex mining operations, processing production systems, major capital projects and operational turnarounds” fits that picture precisely.
Perseus Mining’s Operational Trajectory
Perseus Mining’s production guidance for FY2026 sits between 400,000 and 440,000 ounces, with production weighted toward the second half of the year.
The Company reported a cash margin of USD 1,637 per ounce in Q2 FY2026, reflecting the high gold price environment the business is currently operating in.
The Meyas Sand project sale for USD 260 million earlier this year added further balance sheet flexibility, giving Perseus the financial capacity to push through with capital commitments at Nyanzaga without needing to chase new equity.
Bickley steps into a business that, by most measures, is performing well. The job is to keep it that way while navigating the complexity of two major growth projects running in parallel.
Investor Outlook
The appointment of an experienced COO with hands-on African mining credentials gives investors a clearer picture of who is accountable for operational delivery as Nyanzaga nears its January 2027 first-gold target.
For shareholders who tracked the 2025 AGM results closely, management stability has been a consistent theme. CEO Craig Jones received 98.74% support for his performance rights, reflecting strong confidence from the shareholder base.
Perseus Mining 12-month share price performance. [ASX]
Adding Bickley to the executive team reinforces that continuity. Perseus is building a leadership bench that matches the operational scale it is moving toward.
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FAQ
Q: Who is the new COO of Perseus Mining?
A: Wade Bickley has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Perseus Mining Limited, effective June 1, 2026.
Q: Where will the Perseus Mining COO be based?
A: Wade Bickley will be based in Perseus Mining’s Dubai office.
Q: What experience does Wade Bickley bring to Perseus Mining?
A: Bickley has over 25 years of experience in gold and base metals operations across Australia, West Africa and Southern Africa. He previously served as COO at Appian Capital Base Metals and General Manager at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine in Ghana.
Q: Why did Perseus Mining appoint a COO now?
A: Perseus is currently ramping up underground operations at Yaouré in Côte d’Ivoire and developing the Nyanzaga Gold Project in Tanzania, targeting first gold in January 2027. The Company needed dedicated operational leadership to manage this growth phase across multiple African jurisdictions.
Q: What is the Nyanzaga Gold Project?
A: Nyanzaga is Perseus Mining’s development asset in Tanzania. It carries an ore reserve of 4.0 million ounces and is expected to produce more than 200,000 ounces of gold per year over a mine life of at least 16 years.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Colitco does not hold any financial position in the companies mentioned. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions. Investing in ASX-listed companies involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
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Last modified: May 8, 2026
