Corrects to say annual, not quarterly, gold sales in paragraph 6

By Melanie Burton and Kumar Tanishk

MELBOURNE, July 2 (Reuters) - ​Northern Star Resources NST.AX named Suresh Vadnagra on Thursday as its next CEO as it logged preliminary gold sales that met revised guidance, in a move that may placate activist investor Elliott, which is seeking an overhaul of the company.

Australia's biggest gold miner was the target of a move by Elliott Investment Management last month, after it amassed an over A$1 billion ($689.10 million) stake and called on the firm to immediately restore shareholder value by changing its leadership, citing severe underperformance.

Elliott did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Vadnagra, who will take the role effective October 5, is head of Glencore's GLEN.L nickel and zinc industrial assets based in Switzerland. He brings over 25 years of mining experience including with gold miner Newcrest, and Hong Kong-listed MMG Ltd 1208.HK.

Northern Star also named current Deputy Chair Michael Ashforth to succeed Michael Chaney as chairman, after the company's annual general meeting in November. Chaney had confirmed in June that the term would be his last.

The miner also released its preliminary gold sales for the year to June, which at 1.543 million ounces, came in 2% higher than consensus, meeting revised guidance of more than 1.5 million ounces.

Northern Star shares traded up as much as 4% to A$19.56 on Thursday.

"This is a slight positive (production beat/succession plan) and in combination with overnight gold price movements should see the name move slightly higher," said broker Ord Minnett in a note.

($1 = 1.4512 Australian dollars)