Mutapa Gold Resources Appoints Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya as CEO as Trevor Barnard Resigns
Mutapa Gold Resources (MGR) has announced a leadership transition, with Trevor Miles Barnard resigning as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 May 2026. The Board has appointed Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya as substantive CEO to lead the company forward.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The changes were communicated in a memo dated 24 April 2026 from Board Chairman Charles Chikaura.
Trevor Barnard, who previously served as CEO of Kuvimba Mining House (KMH), played a significant role in strengthening KMH, as well as shaping MGR’s strategic direction, driving growth, and overseeing key projects, according to the board.
“On behalf of the Board, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to Trevor for his dedicated service and leadership during his tenure,” said Charles Chikaura. “The Board wishes Trevor every success in his future endeavours.”
Barnard’s resignation takes effect on 1 May 2026, just one day after Mutapa Gold Resources celebrates the graduation of 300 artisanal miners in Chegutu on 30 April.
Stepping into the CEO role is Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya, who previously served as KMH Head of Gold Cluster and as Chief Finance Officer of Mutapa Gold Resources. The board described him as “well-suited to take the Company forward.”
“We wish Patrick well in this role, and we offer him all the support that he requires to take MGR forward,” the statement added.
Maseva-Shayawabaya’s appointment ensures continuity, given his deep familiarity with MGR’s finances and its gold cluster operations.
The board of Mutapa Gold Resources comprises C. Chikaura (Chairperson), V. Zifudzi (Vice-Chairperson), T. Barnard (outgoing CEO), P. Maseva-Shayawabaya (CFO and incoming CEO), along with G. Bema, C. Bird, E. Denhere, C. Meerholz, and A. Pascoe.
The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for MGR, which is executing an ambitious expansion plan to triple gold production to over 300,000 ounces per annum, backed by a US$200 million investment at its Shamva and Jena mines. The company is also driving the formalisation of artisanal mining, with 300 miners set to graduate from its training programme this Thursday.
With Barnard’s departure and Maseva-Shayawabaya’s immediate assumption of the CEO role, industry observers expect a seamless transition. The new CEO inherits a company with strong operational momentum and a clear strategic direction.
Mutapa Gold Resources is one of five specialised commodity entities created following the restructuring of the Mutapa Investment Fund’s mining portfolio. Its commitment to safety, sustainability, and ASM formalisation remains unchanged under the new leadership.
