Independence Gold president & CEO takes leave of absence: Michael McPhie assumes role

While Mr. Turner is on leave, Michael McPhie, a current Board member will assume the role of Interim Chairman and CEO. — Photo courtesy Michael McPhie/Linkedin

Independence Gold Corp. (TSX.V:IGO) ("Independence" or "the Company") announces that the Board of Directors has granted Randy Turner, President and CEO, a temporary leave of absence for personal and family reasons, effective July 3, 2017. He is expected to be on leave for up to six months but will remain a member of the Board of Directors during his leave. While Mr. Turner is on leave, Michael McPhie, a current Board member will assume the role of Interim Chairman and CEO and Kendra Johnston, current Manager of Corporate Development, will assume the role of Interim President.

Mr. McPhie is a senior mining executive with more than 20 years of operational, financial and project development experience in the Canadian mineral exploration and mining industry. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of IDM Mining Ltd. and CEO of Falkirk Resource Consultants Ltd. Prior to this Mr. McPhie was the President & CEO of Curis Resources Ltd. a company he led until its acquisition by Taseko Mines in 2014. He also served as a Director and Executive Vice President of Exeter Resource Corporation, President & CEO of the Mining Association of BC and as a senior policy director with Natural Resources Canada. Mr. McPhie is a past Chair of the Board of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME) and the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT). He holds a Bachelor Science from Simon Fraser University and a Masters of Science from Royal Roads University.

Ms. Johnston is an active member of the mineral exploration community who has held various positions with the Company over the past 9 years, including overseeing the Yukon exploration programs, building relationships with the company’s various stakeholders, and managing the land, environment and health and safety programs. In addition to her role at Independence, Ms. Johnston is the Vice Chair of the Board of AME, a Director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines and Past Chair of AME’s Roundup Conference. Prior to joining Independence, Ms. Johnston was the Investor Relations Manager and Geologist with Atna Resources and a Geological Assistant with the BC Geological Survey. Ms. Johnston is a registered Professional Geologist in BC and holds a Masters in Business Administration from Queen’s University.

Independence Gold Corp. (TSX.V:IGO) is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. With a portfolio of projects in the Yukon and the 3Ts Project located in British Columbia, the Company’s holdings range from early stage grassroots exploration to advanced-stage resource expansion. For additional information please visit the Company's website.