Rome Resources (RMR) has announced that Mark Gasson, the company’s chief operating officer, has passed away in South Africa, following a short illness.
Gasson had been instrumental in developing the company’s Bisie North tin project in the Democratic Republic of Congo from inception through to the recent reporting of the maiden mineral resource.
'We are greatly saddened by Mark's passing and express our deepest sympathy and best wishes to his family in these very difficult times,” the companies executive chairman Klaus Eckhof and chief executive Paul Barrett said in a joint comment.
“Mark has been longstanding business partner and personal friend to Klaus as well as a stalwart of the company since long before its admission to Aim and his enthusiasm for mineral exploration will be sorely missed. Despite this sad loss, the company will continue to work hard to add value to its Bisie North deposit in the coming months and create the further shareholder value that will be part of Mark's legacy.”
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A cruel blow to Gasson’s family and to Rome, but the ongoing success at Bisie North is testament to the work that Gasson did. The continuing realisation of his vision there will be a form of tribute, although obviously the mourning will continue.