Ken MacNeill will leave his position as CEO of Star Diamond Corporation at the end of the year. The move comes a few months after joint-venture partner Rio Tinto halted operations at the companies’ project in Canada.
The miner’s board and MacNeill have “mutually agreed” that he will retire from his management role, as well as that of director, on December 31, Star Diamond said last week. The company owns the Star-Orion South diamond project in Fort à la Corne, Canada.
In June, Rio Tinto announced it would not contribute financially to the project other than for care and maintenance, and it planned to review its alternatives regarding the site by the end of the year, including a possible exit from the venture.
Following his departure, MacNeill will continue as a consultant, advising the company’s board. Star Diamond will announce a successor in due course, it noted.
“Under the guidance of our board of directors, Star Diamond will be in good hands,” said MacNeill. “I believe in the Fort à la Corne project and the future it holds.”
Image: The Star-Orion South project. (Star Diamond Corporation)