Speakers
AME Roundup 2025’s Keynote Presentations and Sessions will feature a diverse slate of industry specialists.
Their details will be added here as they are confirmed.
Keynote Speakers
Erin Workman
Group Head, Exploration & Geosciences, NewmontErin 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
Chief, Williams Lake First NationChief 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
CEO, Balfour Holdings LLCDouglas 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
Chair, Lundin Mining CorporationSpeakers
Taylor Smith
General Manager, Construction, Tahltan Nation Development CorporationTaylor Smith
General Manager, Construction, Tahltan Nation Development CorporationSpeaking At:
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
CEO, Snowline GoldBio coming soon.
Stephen Piercey
University Research Professor, Memorial University of NewfoundlandStephen Piercey
University Research Professor, Memorial University of NewfoundlandSpeaking At:
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
Local Project Coordinator, Global Indigenous Development TrustCynthia Asp
Local Project Coordinator, Global Indigenous Development TrustSpeaking At:
Cynthia is a Tahltan member and candidate for Chief of the Tahtlan Band Council. Cynthia’s passion for the wellbeing of her people stems from her experience in Alcohol and Drug Prevention with the Tahltan Health & Social Services 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
Environmental and Technology Apprentice, Global Indigenous Development TrustTristan Asp
Environmental and Technology Apprentice, Global Indigenous Development TrustSpeaking At:
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
Project Liaison & Environmental, Global Indigenous Development TrustBrandon Smith
Project Liaison & Environmental, Global Indigenous Development TrustSpeaking At:
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
CEO, Turtle Island ConnectionEdgard 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
President, Global Indigenous Development Trust / Spirit Rock ResourcesSonia Molodecky
President, Global Indigenous Development Trust / Spirit Rock ResourcesSpeaking At:
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
Hon., Government of YukonJeanie 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.
Rowena Alavi-Gunn
Senior Analyst, Wood MackenzieBio coming soon.
Kendra Johnston
Managing Director, PearTree Securities Inc.Kendra Johnston
Managing Director, PearTree Securities Inc.Speaking At:
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.
Nathan Bridge
VP Exploration, CanAlaska UraniumNathan 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.
Nicole D Barlow
Founder & CEO, Purple Rock Inc.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.
Mark Gibson
Chief Geophysics Officer, Ivanhoe ElectricMark 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.
Amber Chong
Technical Lead Engagement, Two Worlds ConsultingAmber 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.
Jacqueline Williams
Managing Consultant & Data Scientist, IBMJacqueline Williams
Managing Consultant & Data Scientist, IBMSpeaking At:
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
Senior Managing Consultant, IBMAlex 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
Senior Vice President, Indigenous Engagement and Human Environment, Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd.Christy Smith
Senior Vice President, Indigenous Engagement and Human Environment, Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd.Speaking At:
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
Executive Chairman and Founding Partner, Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd.Michael McPhie
Executive Chairman and Founding Partner, Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd.Speaking At:
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
Senior Geologist & Associate, Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) LimitedMelissa Friend
Senior Geologist & Associate, Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) LimitedSpeaking At:
Bio coming soon.
Neil McCallum
Director and VP of Exploration, Q2 Metals CorpMr. 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
Senior Geochemist, ALS GlobalGeologist 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
Vice President, Corporate Development, Nations RoyaltyKody Penner
Vice President, Corporate Development, Nations RoyaltySpeaking At:
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
Vice President, Exploration, Forum Energy Metals Corp.Dr. Rebecca Hunter
Vice President, Exploration, Forum Energy Metals Corp.Speaking At:
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
Senior Advisor, Hatch Ltd.Doris is a transformative leader, known for her “Designing Sustainable Prosperity approach, which positions mining as a catalyst for regional prosperity
Paul Mircea Ivascanu
GM Exploration, Dundee Precious MetalsGrowing 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
Vice President, Exploration, Foran MiningErin 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
Partner and Director Geoscience, Equity Exploration Consultants LtdRonald Voordouw
Partner and Director Geoscience, Equity Exploration Consultants LtdSpeaking At:
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
President & Chief Geologist, South Pacific Metals Corp.Cathy Fitzgerald
President & Chief Geologist, South Pacific Metals Corp.Speaking At:
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.
Daniela Jara
Intermediate Energy Specialist, SysEne ConsultingDaniela Jara
Intermediate Energy Specialist, SysEne ConsultingSpeaking At:
Daniela is an MSc. Chemical Engineer with over nine years of experience in energy management and operational performance evaluations in heavy industries. She is consistently recognized for performance excellence and contributions to success in energy and GHG performance improvement. Daniela’s expertise in energy usage analysis and Energy Management Systems is backed by certifications in Energy Management (CEM), and Lead Auditor in ISO 50001:2018 (IRCA).
Scott Heffernan
EVP Exploration, Equinox Gold CorpScott 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
Project Geologist, American Eagle GoldNeil 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.
President & CEO, Tudor Gold CorpKen 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
Professor, University of British ColumbiaJames Scoates
Professor, University of British ColumbiaSpeaking At:
Bio coming soon.
Jean-Marc Lulin
President & CEO, Azimut Exploration Inc.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
Principal Geoscientist, SGDS Hive / Independence Gold Corp.Andy Randell
Principal Geoscientist, SGDS Hive / Independence Gold Corp.Speaking At:
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
Prospector & Geologist, Self EmployedRyan 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
Associate Center Director, geology, USGS Alaska Science CenterDouglas C Kreiner
Associate Center Director, geology, USGS Alaska Science CenterSpeaking At:
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
Postdoctoral Fellow at MDRU, University of British ColumbiaKate Rubingh
Postdoctoral Fellow at MDRU, University of British ColumbiaSpeaking At:
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
CEO, Global Indigenous Development TrustJerry 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
Research Scientist, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)Dianne Mitchinson
Research Scientist, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)Speaking At:
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.
Mila Gajic
VP, Human Resources, Artemis Gold IncMila Gajic has over 15 years’ experience as a leader in human resource management specializing in the mining sector. Ms. Gajic took on the role of VP, HR in October 2021. Before joining Artemis Gold Inc., Ms. Gajic worked for 20 years for diverse international organizations, including KGHM International Ltd., Goldcorp, Stantec, Trafigura, Vantage Airport Group, and AXA Pacific Insurance. Mila’s expertise in global strategy development and execution, organization and leadership development, talent acquisition, total rewards, and experience with projects development, will ensure that Artemis’ Human Resources strategy support the business in achievement of its objectives. Ms. Gajic holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and is Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), and Certified Global Remuneration Professional (GRP). She is currently pursuing an MBA at Thomson Rivers University.
Gerrit Olivier
Chief Scientist, Fleet Space TechnologiesGerrit is a pioneer in using ambient seismic noise-based methods in the mineral and materials exploration industry. During his career, he developed novel low-impact subsurface monitoring and imaging methods for the mining industry. Holder of numerous awards for his work in passive seismic methods, Gerrit is committed to expanding its use for mineral exploration on Earth and beyond – leading the team at Fleet Space that will deploy a geophysical device on the Moon in 2026 to improve our understanding of its interior composition and formation. Prior to joining Fleet Space, Gerrit held the position of Director and Head of Applied Geophysics at the Institute of Mine Seismology, and is currently a Senior Adjunct Researcher at the Centre for Ore Deposits and Earth Sciences at the University of Tasmania and Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Sunshine Coast. Gerrit received his MSc in Theoretical Physics at the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and his PhD in Geophysics at the Université Grenoble Alpes (France).
Michael Durose
President & CEO, Lavras Gold Corp.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
Senior Project Geologist, Yukon Geological SurveyDavid Moynihan
Senior Project Geologist, Yukon Geological SurveySpeaking At:
Bio coming soon.
Patrick Sack
Economic Geologist, Yukon Geological SurveyBio coming soon.
Tracy Lydiatt
Manager, Mining Innovation, Foresight CanadaTracy Lydiatt
Manager, Mining Innovation, Foresight CanadaSpeaking At:
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
Research Scientist, Geological Survey of CanadaDejan Milidragovic
Research Scientist, Geological Survey of CanadaSpeaking At:
Bio coming soon.
David J Szumigala
Senior Minerals Geologist, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical SurveysDavid J Szumigala
Senior Minerals Geologist, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical SurveysSpeaking At:
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.
Maurice Colpron
Head, Bedrock Geology, Yukon Geological SurveyDr. 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
Minerals Geologist, British Columbia Geological SurveyRoddy Campbell
Minerals Geologist, British Columbia Geological SurveySpeaking At:
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
Senior Economic Geologist, British Columbia Geological SurveyEvan Orovan
Senior Economic Geologist, British Columbia Geological SurveySpeaking At:
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.
Gordon Clarke
Director British Columbia Mineral Development Office, British Columbia Geological SurveyGordon Clarke
Director British Columbia Mineral Development Office, British Columbia Geological SurveySpeaking At:
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.
Manoel Valcarcel
Structural Geologist and Software Developer, PE LimitedManoel Valcarcel
Structural Geologist and Software Developer, PE LimitedSpeaking At:
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
Founder, PrivatePlacements.com | Blender MediaArash Adnani
Founder, PrivatePlacements.com | Blender MediaSpeaking At:
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
Senior Director, ESG & Digital Trust, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon InnovationNancy Norris
Senior Director, ESG & Digital Trust, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon InnovationSpeaking At:
Bio coming soon.
Lynda Smithard
COO, McCue Engineering ContractorsBio coming soon.
Stephen Pope
Technical Lead, Data & Information, Teck ResourcesStephen Pope
Technical Lead, Data & Information, Teck ResourcesSpeaking At:
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
Vice President, Exploration, Cascadia Minerals Ltd.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
Geologist & Illustrator, Yukon Graphic RecordingEsther 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
President & CEO, Tectonic MetalsTony 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.
Sarah Ellis
Economic Geologist, Yukon Geological SurveyBio coming soon.
Beth Borody
Founder & CEO, Femina CollectiveBeth 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
Editor/Analyst, Exploration InsightsJoe 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
Director of the Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology and the Arthur Brant Chair of Exploration Geology, University of NevadaSimon M. Jowitt
Director of the Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology and the Arthur Brant Chair of Exploration Geology, University of NevadaSpeaking At:
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
Géologue sénior, exploration, Agnico Eagle Mines LimitedFrancois Bouchard
Géologue sénior, exploration, Agnico Eagle Mines LimitedSpeaking At:
Bio coming soon.
Francois Robert
Consultant, FR Geo-consultFrançois 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
Director, Metals Market Research, Wheaton Precious MetalsEmil Kalinowski
Director, Metals Market Research, Wheaton Precious MetalsSpeaking At:
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.