First Mining eyes gold production at Springpole project in northwestern Ontario: Vancouver mineral holding company becomes project developer.

• Position: NEWS

First Mining Finance is changing gears from accumulating gold properties in northwestern Ontario to figuring out how to put them into production.

After acquiring 25 properties across North America and Mexico over the last two years, the Vancouver junior miner announced it's adopting a new strategy, changing its name to First Mining Gold, and naming former North American Palladium CFO Jeff Swinoga to be the new CEO.

Swinoga succeeds Chris Osterman who's the new COO in charge of project development.

Company president Patrick Donnelly stays on in his current role.

Swinoga has 25 years of experience in mining finance, project development and construction.

He's handled the project financing side of things for Torex Gold Resources, FludBay Minerals, and Barrick Gold and, during his four-year stay with North American Palladium, Swinoga oversaw the financing to construct the Offset Zone expansion at the Lac des lies Mine, northwest of Thunder Bay.

"His people-focused leadership style and industry expertise will be key for the next stages of First Mining's development as we move our flagship assets towards production," said First Mining chairman Keith Neumeyer in a i news release.

"With the company planning to aggressively advance its attractive portfolio of gold properties, Chris (Osterman) can now focus his efforts solely on advancing our projects."

Four of the five cornerstone gold projects in First Mining's portfolio are in northwestern Ontario with Springpole, Goldlund, Cameron and Piclde Crow.

"During my 25 years as a mining executive, I have learned that great companies are built upon quality assets and exceptional talent, which is why I was drawn to First Mining," said Swinoga in a statement.

"I look forward to building value for our...