Speakers

Erin Workman

Speaking At:

• AME Lunch

Erin Workman was promoted to Group Head Exploration and Geosciences in 2024, with responsibility for exploration and resource modeling. Prior to this role she served as Group Head Exploration since 2023. She joined Newmont in 2019 and has more than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration, studies, portfolio optimization, asset strategy, mergers and acquisitions, along with extensive knowledge across a wide range of commodities and jurisdictions.

Prior to joining Newmont, she held positions at Goldcorp, Trilogy Metals (formerly NovaCopper) and NovaGold. She has an Executive MBA from Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, a Citation in Applied Geostatistics from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and a BSc. Earth and Ocean Science from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. She is also a professionally registered Geoscientist (P.Geo.).

Chief Willie Sellars

Speaking At:

• Reconciliation Breakfast

Chief Willie Sellars was born and raised in Williams Lake and is a proud member of the Williams Lake First Nation. Elected to Council at a young age and now in his second term as Chief, he has championed economic development, overseen impact benefit agreements, and led strategic engagement with industry partners throughout WLFN’s Traditional Territory. His leadership focuses on fostering respectful, sustainable partnerships through community-driven consultation and progressive new business initiatives.

Doug Silver

Speaking At:

• Finance Lunch

Douglas Silver’s 45-year career in the minerals industry spans everything from grass-roots exploration to building companies and private equity firms. He regularly shares his private research with others. Mr. Silver is one of three people inducted into both the U.S. and Canadian Mining Halls of Fame.

Adam Lundin

Speaking At:

• Opening Ceremony

Chief Leanne Joe

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 2/2

Drawing on Indigenous worldviews about wealth and sustainability, along with the wisdom and lived experiences of Indigenous thought leaders and practitioners in the economic sector in BC, Step into the River: A Framework for Economic Reconcilation explores ways in which economic reconciliation can be a catalyst for transforming our economic system.

Sarah Ellis

Speaking At:

• Regional Overviews

Bio coming soon.

David J Szumigala

Speaking At:

• Regional Overviews

Dr. David (Zoom) Szumigala has over 40 years of mineral exploration experience in Alaska. He has worked for major mining companies in the western U.S. and Alaska, with mineral exploration experience at scales from grassroots regional programs to mine feasibility drilling projects. Dave is currently a senior mineral resources geologist at the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. He is a Director of the Alaska Miners Association and a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists.

Doris Bill

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Bio coming soon.

Gordon Clarke

Speaking At:

• Regional Overviews

Gordon Clarke is the Director of the Geological Survey of British Columbia’s Vancouver based, Mineral Development Office. Mr. Clarke holds a B.Sc. in Geology from Acadia University and a M.Sc. in Geology from the University of New Brunswick. Prior to joining the Survey in 2014, Mr. Clarke had over thirty years of industry experience, including consulting and as an officer in public exploration and mining companies.

Gina M Nagano

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Gina is a Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation Citizen; she is of the Wolf Clan from Dawson City, Yukon Territory. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Gina retired from her first career as a Sergeant after serving 21 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). She is the President and owner of three Yukon businesses, House of Wolf & Associates Inc., First Peoples Coffee & Ravenshield Studio. Gina is also the President and Co-owner of Tr’ochëk Energy Inc., and is an entrepreneur at heart with a deep passion for community economic development.

She is currently the treasurer for her First Nation Community Development Corporation (Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation) and has sat on the following boards and committees: Chair for Yukon Housing Corporation, Chair for Tr’ochek Limited Partnership, Chair for Yukon Legal Service Society Yukon, Public Member for Cross Cultural Round Table of National Security, past president of Youth of Today’s Society, Board Committee member for Judicial Advisory Committee for Yukon Territorial Court & Yukon Supreme Court.  Gina was recently appointed as an Independent Advisory Board member for Yukon Territory for Supreme Court of Canada Judge appointments, past Chair Board of Director for Chief Isaac Incorporated, past Public Executive for Law Society of Yukon, Board of Director with Yukon Housing Corporation & Yukon Energy Corporation.

Gina is currently working on completing her MBA in Community Economic Development through Cape Breton University.

Sharon Singh

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 2/2

Sharon Singh is the co-head of McMillan’s Environment and Indigenous practices and guides businesses on environmental, Indigenous, ESG, and human rights matters. She is chair of the Mineral Tenure Act subcommittee, and member of the board of Mining Association of British Columbia.

Joey-Lee Morigeau

Speaking At:

• Environmental, Social and Governance

Joey-Lee is the Corporate Human Resources Director, supporting all TNDC operations from an HR perspective.

Premier David Eby

Speaking At:

• BC, Yukon & Alaska

Premier David Eby is a determined problem-solver who has spent a lifetime taking on powerful interests.

As Premier of B.C., David is taking action on big challenges. He’s standing up to speculators to deliver more homes people can afford. He’s working to ease the pressure of everyday costs, from car insurance to childcare bills. And he’s strengthening health care by building hospitals and hiring more doctors.

Premier David is a proud husband and father with three children, Ezra, Iva and Gwen. He loves playing with his kids and hanging out with his wife Cailey, a family doctor in Vancouver.

Taylor Smith

Speaking At:

• Environmental, Social and Governance

Taylor is the General Manager, Construction for TNDC, the business arm of the Tahltan Nation, leading the Construction Operations, Aggregates, and Aviation division.

Scott Berdahl

Speaking At:

• BC, Yukon & Alaska

Bio coming soon.

Stephen Piercey

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Stephen J. Piercey has BSc(Hons) and MSc degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada) and a PhD from the University of British Columbia (Canada). From 2001-2008 he was Assistant and Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and Mineral Exploration Research Centre at Laurentian University. From 2007-2009 he was a full-time consulting geologist and the principal of SJPGeoConsulting. Since 2009 he has been at Memorial University where he was previously the NSERC-Altius Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Deposits (2009-2016) and currently holds the rank of University Research Professor. His research, teaching, and consulting interests involve integrated field- and laboratory-based studies focused on the exploration for and genesis of mineral deposits and the tectonic evolution of mountain belts, with emphasis on volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), orogenic Au, and U deposits. He has previously been awarded the Lindgren Medal (SEG), Howard Street Robinson Medal (GAC), Hutchison Medal (GAC), and Duncan Derry Medal (MDD-GAC). He was the 2024 President of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) and is the 2025 Past President of SEG.

Cynthia Asp

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Cynthia is a Tahltan member. Cynthia’s passion for the wellbeing of her people stems from herexperience in Alcohol and Drug Prevention with the
Tahltan Health & SocialServices Authority, as a local artist and job site medic. Cynthia is completing her Degree in Indigenous Governance and is
supporting the Critical Relationships Project to innovate a way forward that supports her goals of health and wellbeing for her Nation.

Tristan Asp

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Tristan is a Tahltan youth with broad range of experience in science and mining. Most recently working with Nuna Group of Companies at Eskay Creek Mine he learned a lot about shared responsibility and what it takes to maintain a safe working environment. Previously a junior counselor at Science Venture and member of Global Conferences, Tristan has developed good communication and problem solving skills. Tristan is supporting the Critical Relationships Project to bring together knowledge systems and a youth perspective.

Brandon Smith

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Brandon Smith is a Tahltan Nation member with a background spanning a wide variety of industries in both coordination and leadership roles, including extensive experience in the mining industry within Tahltan territory. Now working with the Critical Relationships Project as both a Project Liaison and an Environmental Team member, he hopes to help restructure and establish a new vision of what mining can and should look like, to better serve not only the Tahltan Nation and its people but also indigenous nations all around the world.

Edgard Villanueva-Cruz

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Edgard is a Tahltan youth from the Dene language group. Edgard has supported reclamation activities, and roles in stakeholder relations and is co-founder and CEO of Turtle Island Connection. Facilitating relationships, and strategic direction inspires him to develop innovative solutions. As team lead on green economics for the Critical Relationships Project, Edgard is empowering youth, building economic strength and creating new and holistic systems of sustainable development around mining.

Sonia Molodecky

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Sonia is a Ukrainian-Canadian lawyer with more than 15 years’ experience working in mining, international business, natural resource law and community-driven economic development. Sonia has done business in more than a dozen countries, having begun her career in project finance law at two of Canada’s largest law firms. Sonia is leading the Critical Relationships Project.

Jeanie McLean

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Jeanie McLean was elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the 2016 general election as the MLA for Mountainview. She is the Yukon’s Deputy Premier, and the first Indigenous women to be Deputy Premier in the territory. As well, she’s the Minister of Education, the Minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate and was a co-chair for the Yukon Advisory Committee on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2 Spirit+ Individuals.

John Rustad

Speaking At:

• Regional Overviews

John Rustad is the Leader of the Opposition in the BC Legislature and Conservative MLA for Nechako Lakes – a riding he has held since 2005.

John was born and raised in Prince George, married in 1995 to his wife Kim and has spent his entire life living in Northern British Columbia. However, in the early 2000’s John was faced with a difficult task. Frustrated with the direction the province was headed, John had to decide between leaving for greener pastures or sticking around. Thankfully he decided to stick around and in so doing, decided to fight for BC.

For more than 20 years John has fought for the people of British Columbia. First being elected as a school board trustee to SD-57 and then as an MLA in 2005 to the riding of Prince George–Omineca. Later being re-elected in the riding of Nechako Lakes, after riding redistribution and has served there ever since.

John has been a champion of resource development and economic reconciliation, as well as the champion of the common man his entire time in office. As Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John signed more than 400 agreements that have created economic opportunity for not only the province but also the nations involved.

John’s focus has always been on helping to develop his riding and the province as a whole. Understanding that every person deserves the opportunity to work in whatever field they choose. John has been defending the jobs of farmers, forestry workers, cattle ranchers and everyone in between both in and out of office.

Prior to being elected, John had worked in the forestry industry for more than 20 years. He formed a technology company, Western Geographic Information Systems Inc, a consulting service for the resource sector. Helping to create opportunities, jobs and sustained growth for forestry, bringing prosperity to his community and the province.

After becoming an independent MLA John joined the Conservative Party of BC because he realized that he must continue to fight and that he can’t do it alone.

On March 24, 2023, John Rustad announced his intention to seek the leadership of the Conservative Party and on March 31, he was acclaimed leader.

On October 19, 2024, he was re-elected MLA for Nechako Lakes and elected Leader of the Official Opposition. Leading the Conservative Party of BC, its best showing since 1928, winning 44 seats, and also the largest opposition in BC history.

Nathan Bridge

Speaking At:

• Critical and Base Metals

Nathan Bridge is a geologist with over 15 years of experience in uranium and critical metal exploration. He has played a key role in several uranium discoveries across the Athabasca Basin. Currently he leads the Exploration team at CanAlaska Uranium, focused on the new high-grade ‘Pike Zone’ discovery.

Rowena Alavi-Gunn

Speaking At:

• Commodities and Financial Markets

Bio coming soon.

Kendra Johnston

Speaking At:

• Commodities and Financial Markets

Kendra is Managing Director of PearTree Securities, and a Professional Geologist, with over 20 years of experience working with and for the advancement of junior exploration companies. She is a passionate industry advocate with extensive, knowledge in public policy, financial and capital markets, and the regulatory landscapes impacting exploration. Kendra has been instrumental in promoting Canada as a top global jurisdiction for responsible, inclusive mineral exploration.

Nicole D Barlow

Speaking At:

• Geoscience Innovation

Nicole D Barlow, P.Geo., is the Founder & CEO of Purple Rock Inc., established in 2006. With a passion for archival geoscience, Nicole and her dedicated team unlock historical exploration data, turning past research into valuable resources that can inform today’s geoscientists in their search for new discoveries.

Amber Chong

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 2/2

Amber Chong, Technical Lead, Engagement at Two Worlds Consulting, supports collaboration between proponents and Indigenous Nations for regulatory applications. Her experience as a proponent and a technical reviewer gives her a unique perspective, enhancing her ability to support the application of Indigenous Knowledge meaningfully and holistically into regulatory applications.

Mark Gibson

Speaking At:

• Geoscience Innovation

Mark Gibson is an experienced geoscientist with over 34 years of experience in the natural resources sector. He was instrumental in shaping Ivanhoe Electric’s early stages, including the building of the first Typhoon™ geophysical transmitters in 2011, the formation of Kaizen in 2013, the strategic partnership with Cordoba in 2015, and the joint venture with SAMA Resources in 2018. He currently serves as the Chief Geophysics Officer for Ivanhoe Electric and sits on the board of the company’s data processing subsidiary, Computational Geosciences Inc. Prior to Ivanhoe Electric, Mr. Gibson worked at Anglo American and founded a geophysical service company specializing in seismic surveys for the mining industry. He holds an M.Sc. in Geophysics from the University of Leeds and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Geology from the University of Southampton. Mr. Gibson is a registered Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) in British Columbia and also holds a Pr.Sci.Nat (Professional Natural Scientist) designation with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.

Jacqueline Williams

Speaking At:

• Theme Session: Securing Our Future

Jacqueline Williams is a Data Scientist and Consultant in the AI & Analytics team at IBM Canada. She has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Astrophysics from the University of Calgary, and she has over six years of experience building custom AI solutions for clients across a broad range of industries. With a focus on AI for mining and oil & gas, Jacqueline specializes in developing Generative AI, optimization, and predictive modelling solutions that unlock the potential of data to improve decision-making.

Alex Harvey

Speaking At:

• Theme Session: Securing Our Future

Alex Harvey is a Toronto-based Consultant in IBM Canada’s AI & Analytics practice. With Bachelor (2014) and Master of Applied Science (2016) degrees from the Queen’s University department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Geodesy & Geophysics Group, he brings his background and experience in AI and analytics to client projects such as machine learning for mineral exploration, supply chain optimization reporting, and product strategy. Alex has been with IBM for over 6 years.

Christy Smith

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 2/2

Christy Smith, a member of the K’omoks First Nation, is Falkirk’s Senior Vice President, specializing in Indigenous Engagement. She has 25 years of expertise in British Columbia and the Yukon, focusing on reconciliation and decolonizing business and assessment processes.

Michael McPhie

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 2/2

Michael McPhie, with over 30 years in the mining industry, specializes in regulatory, Indigenous, and financial issues. Co-author of “Weaving Two Worlds,” he is also a notable speaker on reconciliation and sustainability.

Melissa Friend

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Melissa Friend is a Senior Geologist and Associate with Archer Cathro. She obtained her BSc and MSc from the University of British Columbia. Her MSc work was completed through a collaborative study between the Yukon Geological Survey and the Mineral Deposit Research Unit at UBC. Melissa has over ten years of experience working on projects ranging from regional bedrock mapping and metallogenic studies to grassroots and early-stage exploration programs. She has worked on programs in western and northern Canada, the western US, and South America in various geological settings with diverse mineralization styles.

Neil McCallum

Speaking At:

• Critical and Base Metals

Mr. McCallum is a geologist with over 20 years of experience in North American mineral exploration, specializing in critical metals like lithium, uranium, and cobalt. He has played key roles in several companies, notably identifying significant lithium resources and guiding early-stage projects to successful exploration and discovery.

Miguel Martinez

Speaking At:

• Geoscience Innovation

Geologist with more than 18 years of experience. The first 11 years he worked in successful copper deposit exploration teams, with special emphasis on the innovative use of new methodologies and techniques. He has been part of ALS since October 2017 in the position of Senior Geochemist, working in communication, support and development of new technologies and methodologies.

Kody Penner

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 2/2

Kody is an Indigenous mining professional with a diverse background in the capital markets, mining, Indigenous business, and Indigenous governance. He brings a holistic approach to resource development by aligning values from all parties towards common goals. He is passionate about developing sustainable resource projects and growing Indigenous wealth.

Dr. Rebecca Hunter

Speaking At:

• Critical and Base Metals

Rebecca has 15 years of experience as a uranium exploration geologist in Saskatchewan and Nunavut. Dr. Hunter worked for Cameco as a project geologist from 2005 to 2016. Rebecca led Cameco’s Turqavik-Aberdeen exploration project, which discovered the high-grade Tatiggaq and Qavvik uranium deposits adjacent to Orano’s (formally AREVA) Kiggavik Project in Nunavut. Dr. Hunter completed her Ph.D. degree at Laurentian University on the Tatiggaq-Qavvik uranium trend in the northeast Thelon Basin.

Doris Hiam-Galvez

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 2/2

Doris is a transformative leader, known for her “Designing Sustainable Prosperity approach, which positions mining as a catalyst for regional prosperity

Paul Mircea Ivascanu

Speaking At:

• Critical and Base Metals

Growing up on an exploration camp within a family of exploration geologists in the famous “Golden Quadrilateral” in Western Transylvania in Romania, Paul followed the family passion for rocks and graduated top of class BSc in Geology follow by MSc in Petrology and Ore Deposits at University of Bucharest. This was complemented by additional training and research at University of Salzburg and ETH Zurich. While working on greenfield and brownfield exploration on Western Tethyan Belt for nearly 20 years with Barrick, Eldorado Gold and DPM, Paul gained a broad experience on exploration management, effective targeting and drill testing, resource modelling and evaluation of a wide range of ore deposits and has been championing discovery of more than 10 Moz Au Eq.

Erin Carswell

Speaking At:

• Critical and Base Metals

Erin Carswell is a growth-driven executive with 17 years of base metal exploration and mergers & acquisitions experience that has taken her across six continents, eight countries and a variety of deposit styles. Her latest role leading Foran Mining’s Geoscience & Discovery team in Canada is her most exciting yet.

Ronald Voordouw

Speaking At:

• Theme Session: Securing Our Future

A researcher turned explorer, Ron’s crooked path to an exploration geoscientist began in oil country. From there, he transected Canada to land on The Rock, went intercontinental to a post-doc in South Africa, and ultimately arrived in Vancouver to join Equity Exploration in 2011. Now, as a Partner in the company, Ron is responsible for high level oversight of Equity’s operating projects and deliverables, as well as providing reality checks on how much exploration work is feasible within a client’s budget.

Cathy Fitzgerald

Speaking At:

• Precious Metals

Ms. Fitzgerald is an executive & professional geoscientist with over 20 years resource industry experience in technical and leadership roles, driving the strategy, execution & advancement of projects across various commodities. Currently, President & Chief Geologist, and Director of South Pacific Metals Corp., leading exploration of copper-gold exploration projects in Papua New Guinea. Previously, she was Vice President Exploration & Resource Development at Apollo Silver and Director Resource Evaluation, Ivanhoe Electric.

Flyn McCarthy

Speaking At:

• Environmental, Social and Governance

Flyn McCarthy leads the consultancy in the systems approach to industrial decarbonization and has helped numerous organizations develop and deliver on their GHG targets. Flyn is a tireless champion of industrial decarbonization and has worked for the past 20 years on all aspects of industrial energy optimization and low carbon solutions. Current roles include Principal Energy and Carbon group at SysEne, Industry Advisor BC Net Zero Innovation Network and past roles include Corporate Energy & Carbon Manager Newmont/Goldcorp, Leader of the Canadian Mining Innovation Council – Energy Group, and technical advisor to hundreds of industrial operations globally.

Scott Heffernan

Speaking At:

• Precious Metals

Scott Heffernan has been driving Equinox Gold’s exploration strategy as EVP Exploration since the Company’s inception. Scott is a registered professional geologist with 25 years of experience throughout the Americas and Africa. Scott received his B.Sc. from the University of Alberta and completed his M.Sc. with the MDRU at UBC.

Neil Prowse

Speaking At:

• BC, Yukon & Alaska

Neil Prowse is a BC born and raised geologist with over 13 years experience working on exploration programs throughout the Province. Since completing his M.Sc. at Carleton in 2017, he has worked as a consulting geologist for C.J. Greig and Associates Ltd., on a wide variety of deposit types, including Cu-Au porphyry, VMS, and epithermal gold/silver. As the project geologist for American Eagle Gold, he brings proven field-based leadership in geological modelling, drill-focused exploration management, and community engagement.

Ken Konkin, P.Geo.

Speaking At:

• BC, Yukon & Alaska

Ken Konkin, P.Geo., has over 35 years experience in mineral exploration throughout North and South America and Russia. He led key exploration projects at Silver Standard and Pretium Resources and was instrumental in the discovery of the 8-million-ounce Valley of Kings gold deposit. Ken has received the Bill Dennis Award and the K.K. ‘Spud” Huestis Award representing his contributions to discovery in British Columbia.

James Scoates

Speaking At:

• Theme Session: Securing Our Future

Bio coming soon.

Jean-Marc Lulin

Speaking At:

• Critical and Base Metals

As President and CEO of Azimut Exploration, Jean-Marc Lulin has opened vast regions of Quebec to exploration, leveraging innovative targeting methodologies and partnerships. His approach and successes led to his recognition as a leading player in the province. Jean-Marc earned a PhD in Economic Geology from the Université d’Orléans, France.

Andy Randell

Speaking At:

• BC, Yukon & Alaska

Andy is a Vancouver-based geological consultant and founder of SGDS Hive, providing progressive, science-based solutions for their clients. Andy established the non-profit Below BC, which performs outreach and educational opportunities in geoscience. He has founded Aeonian Resources to explore a more sustainable and transparent form of mineral exploration with the hope to inspire change at the grassroots level. In 2016, he received the Bedford Young Mining Professional Award through the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM). Andy currently sits on the boards of Directors for the Association of Mineral Exploration (AME), and the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines. He is also the inaugural Chair of the newly formed BC Society of Engineering and Geoscience, an advocacy body split off from the BC professional regulator, EGBC.

Ryan Burke

Speaking At:

• Geoscience Innovation

Ryan Burke is an independent prospector and geologist with five years of experience in grassroots exploration in the Yukon. He specializes in high-risk, early-stage projects, with the goal of creating drill-ready targets in underexplored areas of the Yukon.

Douglas C Kreiner

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Doug Kreiner is the Associate Center Director, geology and research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center. Following his PhD, Doug worked in the mineral exploration industry exploring for porphyry Cu, epithermal and Carlin-style gold exploration programs in the western US. He joined the USGS in 2016 and continues to study and apply system-scale approaches to understand regional metallogeny and space-time relationships of hydrothermal systems.

Kate Rubingh

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Kate Rubingh is a Postdoctoral Fellow with MDRU at UBC with expertise in Orogenic gold and VMS deposits from the Archean to the Paleoproterozoic. Current research in the Golden Triangle area of British Columbia aims to refine the paleo-volcanic architecture of the Hazelton group and its controls on the distribution of mineral deposits.

Jerry Asp

Speaking At:

• The Gathering Place 1/2

Jerry is one of Canada’s most prominent Indigenous leaders. Jerry was President and founding member of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association and now Chair and CEO of Global Indigenous Development Trust. In 2020, Jerry was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame and was named Mining Person of the Year by the BC Mining Association. In 2022, he received the Leadership Legacy Award by the Tahltan Nation.

Dianne Mitchinson

Speaking At:

• Geoscience Innovation

Dianne Mitchinson is a geologist whose work focuses on improving geological knowledge through interpretation and integration of geology with geophysical and physical property data. She is a Research Scientist at the Geological Survey of Canada, undertaking research as part of Natural Resources Canada’s Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data initiative.

Darren Burrows

Speaking At:

• Geoscience Innovation

Darren has 20 years of geoscience exploration experience hunting for metals, energy and water. Initially he worked in the deep Gold mines and Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa planning drillholes, logging core and managing exploration data. A large part of his career was spent in airborne geophysics with Fugro / CGG / Xcalibur where he has held various roles focusing on geophysical data processing & interpretation as well as business development. At Fleet Space Technologies he uses ambient noise tomography to solve mineral exploration problems, and helps develop new exploration tools. Darren graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa with a B.Sc in Geology & Physics, and a B.Sc Hons degree in Geophysics.

Michael Durose

Speaking At:

• Precious Metals

Mr. Durose is a professional geologist (P.Geo) registered in Ontario, with a B.Sc. (Honours) in Geology from Carleton University with a focus on mineral deposits geology, a Master of Science in Mineral Economics from Queen’s University, and a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Engineering from McGill University. He is currently President and CEO of Lavras Gold Corp., a junior gold exploration company focusing on Southern Brazil. He is the founder of Durose Asset Management Inc., and he previously held increasingly senior positions as a well-regarded mining analyst with Scotia Capital Inc., Morgan Stanely, Bunting Warburg, and Nesbitt Burns. He has travelled extensively to visit mining and exploration projects all over the world. Before joining capital markets, Mr. Durose worked as an exploration geologist in the Canadian base metal and gold industries.

David Moynihan

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Bio coming soon.

Tracy Lydiatt

Speaking At:

• Theme Session: Securing Our Future

Tracy holds a Masters of Science in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability (also known as The Natural Step) from the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden. During which, she completed her thesis project focused on mining, Sustainable Mining? Applying the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development to Mining Projects. She also holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of British Columbia in Geology and worked as a geologist in the gold/silver exploration sector in both remote locations and in corporate settings within Canada and Argentina. She has over a decade of experience with business and project development, team management, corporate training, and media in a variety of industries including mining, engineering, food, and textiles. She is passionate about building strong relationships for collaboration and innovation and one of her unique skills is the ability to bridge complex sustainability concepts and translate these for successful project management and execution.

Dejan Milidragovic

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Bio coming soon.

Maurice Colpron

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Dr. Maurice Colpron is Head of Bedrock Geology at the Yukon Geological Survey. He has been mapping the geology of the Canadian Cordillera for more than 30 years and has published extensively on the tectonics and metallogeny of the North American Cordillera and the Arctic.

Roddy Campbell

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Roddy Campbell is a minerals geologist at the BC Geological Survey. After several years of working on base metal and gold exploration projects in central Canada he joined the Geological Survey in 2023.

Evan Orovan

Speaking At:

• Advances in Geoscience

Evan Orovan is the Senior Economic Geologist at the BC Geological Survey. He specializes in porphyry-epithermal systems, and his research integrates field work, mineralogy, isotopic modelling, and microanalytical methods. He is currently guest editing a special issue in Economic Geology on lithocaps.

Manoel Valcarcel

Speaking At:

• Geoscience Innovation

Manoel Valcarcel is structural geologist and software engineer at PE Limited. He has been working at PE Limited for 8 years, teaching structural geology techniques, developing software and conducting geology projects for hydrocarbon exploration and mining companies, with a variety of geological settings and mineral deposits across the world.

Arash Adnani

Speaking At:

• Commodities and Financial Markets

Arash Adnani is the founder of PrivatePlacements.com, a leading platform that aggregates financing data, empowering investors to discover, analyze, and track offerings and trends. He also leads Blender Media Inc., a premier digital agency that has partnered with over 500 public companies to enhance engagement with investors and stakeholders.

Nancy Norris

Speaking At:

• Environmental, Social and Governance

Bio coming soon.

Lynda Smithard

Speaking At:

• Environmental, Social and Governance

Bio coming soon.

Stephen Pope

Speaking At:

• Theme Session: Securing Our Future

Stephen Pope, Technical Lead, Data & Information joined Teck Resources in 2010. Stephen has worked primarily in the Exploration business unit over the past 15 years with intermittent placements at Teck Operations. Stephen’s team leads global data management standards across the business unit and delivery of custom applications to enhance discovery efforts across the exploration lifecycle. Recent work includes a focus on digital analytics and the application of Generative AI in mineral exploration. His educational background is in Geology and GIS.

Adam Coulter

Speaking At:

• BC, Yukon & Alaska

Adam has over a decade of experience exploring for precious metals, base metals and diamonds across Canada and the US. Adam has worked in Yukon since 2017 and advanced the Osiris Gold Deposit to a 1.7 Moz Mineral Resource and has subsequently been focused on making new grassroots porphyry copper discoveries.

Esther Bordet

Speaking At:

• Geoscience Innovation

Esther is a geologist and artist originally from France. After hauling rocks for 15 years, she launched her own business, providing illustration, animation and graphic recording services to organizations across the Yukon and Canada. Her work supports natural science and societal topics that combine scientific research and traditional knowledge.

Tony Reda

Speaking At:

• BC, Yukon & Alaska

Tony takes a vision and makes it a reality through hard work, tenacity, perseverance, and sound strategy development. His passion, enthusiasm, and drive are infectious and motivating, and he empowers the people around him. As Founder, President, CEO and Director of Tectonic Metals Inc., Tony is all in, working solely to create value for the company’s shareholders and stakeholders.

His loyalty and commitment to his work are undeniable, as demonstrated by the fact that he was the longest-serving employee of Kaminak Gold Corporation from inception in 2005 to the sale of the company, including the Coffee Gold Project, in 2016 to Goldcorp Inc. (now Newmont Goldcorp) for $520 million. Tony served as Vice President, Corporate Development for Kaminak executing the company’s strategic planning, financing, business development and marketing while overseeing the public relations and investor communications of the company. Tony was pivotal in orchestrating capital raises totalling over $165 million to primarily fund the acquisition and advancement of the Coffee Gold Project in the Yukon Territory from grassroots discovery through to the completion of a bankable feasibility study. He was also involved in monetizing Kaminak’s other projects by forming strategic alliances, joint venture agreements and creating public and private companies resulting in over $35 million being spent by third parties directly on Kaminak’s projects.

During his tenure with Kaminak, the company was ranked 8th best-performing mining company from a peer group of some 1,200 mining companies, was listed as a 2015 TSX Venture 50 Company and was one of four companies selected out of 1,971 companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange as Best IR by IR Magazine in 2015.

Tony personifies Tectonic’s belief that responsible mineral exploration and development can positively impact the communities in which the company lives and operates and its commitment to early and ongoing community engagement, best practices in environmental stewardship and the development of a strong safety culture.

Beth Borody

Speaking At:

• Commodities and Financial Markets

Beth Borody is a mining executive and sustainability leader, specializing in female participation and ESG integration. As CEO of Femina Collective she promotes women led investing and has pioneered industry-leading ESG strategies, fostering global collaboration and creating impactful financial frameworks for a more inclusive and responsible mining sector.

Joe Mazumdar

Speaking At:

• Commodities and Financial Markets

Joe joined Brent Cook as co-editor and analyst of Exploration Insights in December 2015 and transitioned into being the sole editor a couple of years later. Previously, he had spent six years as a Senior Mining Analyst at Haywood Securities and Canaccord Genuity in Vancouver, six years as Director of Strategic Planning, Corporate Development at Newmont Mining (Denver), and over three years as a Senior Market Analyst/Commodity Trader at Phelps Dodge (now Freeport McMoRan, Phoenix).

Before becoming a mining market analyst, Joe worked for over a decade as an exploration geologist in different capacities for IAMGOLD, North Minerals, and RTZ in South America (Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador), MIM Exploration in Queensland, Australia, and Noranda and others in Western Canada (British Columbia, Yukon) and the Northwest Territories.

Joe has a BSc in Geology (1988) from the University of Alberta, an MSc in Geology and Mining (1997) from James Cook University (Queensland), and an MSc in Mineral Economics (2003) from the Colorado School of Mines.

Simon M. Jowitt

Speaking At:

• Theme Session: Securing Our Future

Simon M. Jowitt is the Director of the Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology and the Arthur Brant Chair of Exploration Geology at the University of Nevada Reno, Nevada, USA. His research focuses on furthering our understanding of mineralising systems with direct application to mineral exploration as well as mineral economics, global metal resources and the security of supply of the critical elements, and the “economic” side of economic geology. Simon has published more than 115 scientific papers and peer-reviewed book chapters since 2010, is currently the Vice-President for Student Affairs for the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) and was awarded the SEG’s Waldemar Lindgren Award in 2014.

Francois Bouchard

Speaking At:

• Precious Metals

François Bouchard, GTC, B.Sc. (geol.), started his career working with prospectors in southern Quebec before joining Falconbridge to explore the Raglan area. For the past 18 years he has focused on exploration at the Canadian Malartic complex. He also served as a director of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association from 2006 to 2022.

Francois Robert

Speaking At:

• Precious Metals

François has over 40 years experience on the geology and exploration of gold deposits worldwide. He consults part-time, following 22 years with Barrick Gold Exploration and 12 years with the Geological Survey of Canada. His approach to understanding gold deposits is field-based and integrates geology, structure and alteration across scales.

Emil Kalinowski

Speaking At:

• Commodities and Financial Markets

Emil Kalinowski’s research focuses on how socioeconomic and geopolitical trends affect the supply, demand, and price of precious and base metals. He is a director of metals market research for Wheaton Precious Metals.