Focus Minerals chief executive Campbell Baird has resigned from the gold miner with no reason given for his sudden departure.

Focus said in a statement its chairman and founding director Don Taig would fill the role while a search for the successor to Mr Baird would begin immediately.

The company said its board would consider both internal and external candidates for the role of chief executive.

In the interim, Mr Taig would conduct a review of the business, supported by chief operating officer Mark Hine, chief financial officer Paul Fromson and head of geology Dean Goodwin.

Mr Baird's departure follows China's Shandong Gold International Mining Corporation securing a majority stake in the gold miner after injecting $225 million into its coffers.

Last month, Shandong installed its chairman Li Zhongyi, general manager Zhang Dahui and chief geologist Michael Guo on Focus' board as non-executive directors.

In September last year, Mr Baird defended the Shandong move, describing it as an investment in, not a takeover of, the company.