Eldorado Gold Appoints New COO and Senior VP of Projects
Eldorado Gold announced several leadership updates to strengthen operational execution, advance project development and further align regional leadership across the organization. As part of these changes, Simon Hille has been appointed Executive Vice President and COO. Hille joined the Company in 2020 and has since held progressively senior roles, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Technical Services & Operations since November 2023. As EVP & COO, he will oversee the Company's global operations, projects, exploration, and health, safety and sustainability, with a focus on driving operational excellence, performance consistency, and disciplined execution across the portfolio. Hille has more than 30 years of experience in gold and base metals, with deep expertise in leading high-performance, cross-functional technical and operational teams to maximize value from complex ore bodies. The Company has also appointed Gordana Vicentijevic as Senior Vice President, Projects, effective May 4. Vicentijevic joins from Equinox Gold, where she held senior leadership roles with responsibility for project development and execution. She brings 28 years of experience in mining operations, project management, and the engineering design and construction of mining, oil and gas, and chemical plants. Ms. Vicentijevic holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Belgrade and a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from the University of Alberta.
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- Executive Appointment: Eldorado Gold has appointed Simon Hille as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, who joined the company in 2020 and has held progressively senior roles, most recently as Executive Vice President of Technical Services & Operations, highlighting the company's commitment to internal talent development.
- Earnings Beat: The company reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.63, exceeding market expectations by $0.05, while revenue reached $577.2 million, surpassing forecasts by $55.49 million, indicating strong operational efficiency and demand in the market.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the announcement of the new appointment, Eldorado Gold's stock rose 0.24% in after-hours trading to $33.258, reflecting market confidence in the new COO and optimism about the company's future growth prospects.
- Leadership Transition: With CEO Burns set to retire in Q3, Hille's appointment lays the groundwork for a smooth leadership transition, expected to drive further advancements in the company's technical and operational strategies.
- Operating Authorization Granted: Eldorado Gold saw a 2.3% increase in Monday's trading after receiving operating authorization from Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment for its Ormaque deposit, which allows the company to mine and deliver high-grade underground ore to the Sigma mill, significantly enhancing production flexibility at the Lamaque complex.
- Enhanced Production Flexibility: The addition of the Ormaque deposit will provide an additional source of high-grade feed that will be sequenced and blended with ore from the Triangle deposit, optimizing overall production capacity at the Lamaque complex and strengthening the company's competitive position in the high-grade ore market.
- Potential Capacity Increase: Eldorado is conducting studies to potentially increase throughput at the Sigma mill from its current capacity of approximately 2,500 metric tons per day to 5,000 tons per day, which will further drive production efficiency and profitability for the company.
- Strengthening Strategic Assets: CEO George Burns noted that the Ormaque operating authorization demonstrates the company's ability to efficiently advance a discovery to operating approval in Quebec, supported by highly prospective geology, thereby reinforcing the Lamaque complex as a cornerstone asset within Eldorado's portfolio.
- Surging Gold Prices: In 2026, gold prices have risen by 18%, currently nearing $5,140 per ounce, driven by geopolitical tensions, which are expected to continue supporting industry growth and attracting investors seeking safe-haven assets.
- Strong Investment Demand: In 2025, total gold demand reached 5,002 tons, with investment demand hitting 2,175 tons, driving ETF investments up by 801 tons, indicating strong market interest and potential for future growth.
- Cost Management Strategies: Due to labor shortages and rising production costs, industry players are focusing on alternative energy sources and digital innovations to lower unit net cash costs, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring profit margins.
- Structural Supply Constraints: With declining output from aging mines and limited new discoveries, the industry faces long-term price support, and an anticipated demand-supply imbalance is likely to further drive gold prices upward.
- Share Reduction Details: Equinox Partners Investment Management sold 355,000 shares of Eldorado Gold Corporation in Q4 2025, with an estimated trade value of $10.63 million, reflecting a cautious investment strategy amid market volatility in gold.
- Value Change in Holdings: Following the sale, the value of Eldorado Gold's position decreased by $8.16 million, with a current stake of 297,546 shares worth approximately $10.69 million, representing 5.58% of its 13F AUM, indicating a relative decline in the company's portfolio position.
- Market Performance Comparison: As of February 17, 2026, Eldorado Gold's stock price stood at $45.33, up about 200% from the previous year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's roughly 16% gain during the same period, highlighting the company's strong performance in the gold market.
- Operational and Financial Status: Eldorado Gold produced approximately 488,000 ounces of gold in 2025, generating $752 million in operating cash flow and an adjusted EBITDA of around $836 million, demonstrating enhanced profitability under high gold prices and steady production levels.
- Share Reduction Transaction: On February 17, 2026, Equinox Partners sold 355,000 shares of Eldorado Gold, with an estimated transaction value of $10.63 million, reflecting trading activities and stock price changes during Q4.
- Decline in Position Value: The value of Eldorado Gold's position decreased by $8.16 million at quarter-end, indicating the company's sensitivity to gold price fluctuations and suggesting a strategic rebalancing of the investment portfolio.
- Change in Holdings Proportion: Post-sale, Equinox Partners' stake in Eldorado Gold stands at 297,546 shares valued at $10.69 million, representing 5.58% of AUM, thus falling outside the fund's top five holdings.
- Strong Operational Performance: Despite the reduction, Eldorado Gold produced approximately 488,000 ounces of gold in 2025, with adjusted EBITDA reaching around $836 million, demonstrating the company's profitability amid high gold prices and steady production.










