Sept 29 (Reuters) - Barrick Mining (ABX.TO) , opens new tab appointed veteran executive Mark Hill as interim president and CEO on Monday following the sudden resignation of Mark Bristow, who led the Canadian miner for nearly seven years after its merger with Randgold Resources.

Bristow, who became CEO in 2019 when Barrick acquired Randgold, oversaw integration of the two companies and steered the miner through a period of significant portfolio reshaping and debt reduction.

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"Disappointed to see him leave, he has been a fine leader," said Peter Letko, of the Letko Brosseau investment fund, one of Barrick's shareholders.

Speaking in May, Bristow said the company had indicated he would stay in his current role until 2028, but added there was a succession program in place overseen by the board.

Shares in Barrick, which owns 13 mining assets across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America, have lagged some rivals, rising by 37% since 2020 compared to a 110% climb in shares of fellow Canadian miner Agnico Eagle with gold prices also hitting record highs.

Hill, who will also serve as group chief operating officer, takes charge immediately as the board begins a global search for a permanent chief executive with the help of an external firm.

Known for his mercurial leadership style, Bristow's tenure at Barrick was focused on integrating tough assets that Barrick owned in some of the volatile regions of the world.

But his biggest test came this year when Barrick's gold mine in Mali was taken over by the military government over alleged non-payment of taxes. Barrick had to write off $1 billion from its books over Mali.

U.S.-listed shares of Barrick were down marginally at $34.36 in premarket trading on Monday.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/barrick-names-mark-hill-interim-ceo-after-bristow-exit-2025-09-29/