Leadership Torch Pass at K92 Mining: Medilek to Succeed Lewins as CEO
K92 Mining outlines a smooth executive succession plan as incoming CEO David Medilek takes the helm alongside record operational momentum at the Kainantu Gold Mine.
Passing the baton while running at full speed is a rare art in corporate management, but K92 Mining Inc. (TSX: KNT | OTCQX: KNTNF) is attempting to execute it flawlessly.
The Vancouver-headquartered miner has mapped out an orderly succession plan elevating current President and Chief Operating Officer David Medilek to Chief Executive Officer and Director, effective October 1, 2026. Outgoing CEO John Lewins, who has steered the gold, copper, and silver producer for nearly a decade, will transition to Non-Executive Chair, while current Board Chair Anne Giardini moves into the Lead Director role to maintain independent oversight.
The executive shift comes as the company's flagship Kainantu Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea operates from a position of distinct strength. Under Lewins' decade-long guidance since 2016, Kainantu evolved from an ambitious mine restart into a high-margin mid-tier producer, earning industry accolades including the 2021 PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award for the Kora North discovery. Medilek, who joined the company in 2019, brings a potent mix of engineering grit and capital markets literacy to the corner office.
His resume includes time as a precious metals equity research analyst at Macquarie Group Limited (ASX: MQG), a mining investment banker with Cormark Securities Inc., and an underground mining engineer at Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: B).
From an operational standpoint, the corporate handover arrives on remarkably stable footing. The miner's new 1.2 million-tonne-per-annum process plant has been fully operational and performing better than design since December 2025, with 98% of Stage 3 Expansion growth capital spent or committed strictly on budget as of June 30, 2026. Lewins will remain heavily engaged in regional affairs, retaining his leadership role with the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources and Energy and guiding local social initiatives through the Kainantu Foundation.
The internal promotion strategy extends across the rest of the executive suite. Vice President of Projects & Engineering Chris Kinver, a veteran who previously managed underground operations for OceanaGold Corporation (TSX: OGC), BHP Group (ASX: BHP), and Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: B), takes over as Chief Operating Officer on October 1, 2026. Meanwhile, Susan Scheepers, who brings two decades of human resources leadership across Aurelia Metals (ASX: AMI), Geopacific Resources (ASX: GPR), and St Barbara Limited (ASX: SBM), officially assumed the Vice President of Human Resources post on August 1, 2026.
Source
- K92 Mining Inc. News Release (Issued August 17, 2026 via GlobeNewswire)
Disclaimer
Neither the author of this article nor JuniorStocks holds equity, stock options, or any other financial positions in K92 Mining Inc. (TSX: KNT; OTCQX: KNTNF) or any other companies mentioned in this publication. This content is published by JuniorStocks strictly for informational purposes, was prepared independently without company compensation, and utilized AI assistance for text editing, formatting, and generating accompanying media. While K92 Mining’s Kainantu expansion and exploration potential in Papua New Guinea represent a compelling development in the precious metals sector, this article does not constitute investment or financial advice. Investors are strongly advised to conduct their own thorough, independent due diligence and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.