Largo Appoints Co-COOs to Strengthen Its Operational Leadership
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Largo has made a leadership transition as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance operational performance and strengthen its production strategy. Largo has promoted and appointed Gordon Babcock and Luis Rendón as co-chief operating officers.
Both executives, who recently joined the Largo operations team in other capacities, bring extensive mining sector leadership and operational expertise to Largo and will carry on with implementing operational improvements at the Maracás Menchen Mine.
“To ensure a smooth transition and maintain our focus on strengthening operational improvements in Brazil, we have appointed Gordon Babcock and Luis Rendón as co-chief operating officers. Both have been actively engaged in our efficiency initiatives and bring deep expertise in mine management, engineering, and production optimization. Their leadership will be instrumental in advancing our operational realignment as part of our broader turnaround strategy,” said Daniel Tellechea, Interim CEO of Largo.
“These leadership changes are intended to support our focus on enhancing efficiency, improving cost control, and optimizing production at the Maracás Menchen Mine,” added Tellechea.
The co-COO structure is intended to enhance oversight of the company’s operations, with each executive assuming responsibility for distinct operational areas to improve efficiencies.
Gordon Babcock is a mining professional with more than 40 years of experience in mine operations, engineering, and project development. He has held senior leadership roles at multiple mining companies, including serving as COO at Sierra Metals and Jaguar Mining, where he played a key role in driving operational efficiency and production stability. At Nyrstar, he served as vice president and general manager, overseeing complex underground and open-pit mining operations. Gordon has also worked as an independent consultant, advising mining companies on mine planning, operational optimization, and cost reduction strategies. Gordon holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from Queen’s University and is a registered Professional Engineer.
Luis Rendón is a metallurgical engineer with more than 40 years of experience in mineral processing, plant operations, and cost optimization. He has held senior leadership roles at Sierra Metals, Compañía Minera Kolpa, and Pan American Silver, where he managed plant expansions, implemented advanced metallurgical techniques, and optimized production processes to improve efficiency and cost control. At Largo, he has been instrumental in enhancing process performance and supporting operational realignment efforts at the Maracás Menchen Mine. Luis has also worked as an independent consultant, advising mining operations on production planning and metallurgical enhancements. Luis holds a degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA) in Arequipa, Peru.
Largo is a globally recognized supplier of high-quality vanadium and ilmenite products, sourced from its world-class Maracás Menchen Mine in Brazil. As one of the world’s largest primary vanadium producers, Largo produces critical materials that empower global industries, including steel, aerospace, defense, chemical, and energy storage sectors. The company is committed to operational excellence and sustainability, leveraging its vertical integration to ensure reliable supply and quality for its customers. Largo is also strategically invested in the long-duration energy storage sector through its 50 percent ownership of Storion Energy, a joint venture with Stryten Energy focused on scalable domestic electrolyte production for utility-scale vanadium flow battery long-duration energy storage solutions in the U.S.
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