Benoit La Salle

Mr. La Salle, FCPA, FCA, has 17 years of experience in the development and operation of mining projects in West Africa. In 1995, he founded Canadian based SEMAFO Inc. (TSX, OMX: SMF), a successful gold producer in West Africa. In October 2012, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of The Canadian Council on Africa. In 1980, Mr. La Salle founded Grou, La Salle and Associates Inc., Chartered Accountants. He has served on the boards of several public companies and is the former Chairman of the Board of Plan International Canada, one of the world's largest non-governmental organizations. Mr. La Salle is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, a member of the Quebec Order of Chartered Accountants and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Mr. La Salle holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration degree from IMEDE, Switzerland.