Our Team
A group of industry professionals with a track record of building premiere mining companies
Element79 Gold Corp. is guided by experience, has a proven track record of creating value for its investors through developing projects and is focused on sustainably restarting the Lucero mine starting in 2024.
Management
JAMES C. TWOREK
CEO & Director
eMBA, BA Latin American Studies, Business
James has held Director, Senior Management, Analytical and Operations roles in both public and private companies. A quick learn and entrepreneurial to the bone, his 25-year career started in commercial banking in 1998 and he has garnered a wealth of experience across diverse industries between Mining, project finance, mezzanine debt and mortgage brokerage, Hemp/Legal Cannabis, Oil and Gas, and Clean Water/Envirotech industries. A team leader driven by results, James has built his career on successfully executing development and corporate growth targets, exceeding sales objectives, and being mindful to ensure open communication, honesty and integrity with investors and stakeholders.
TAMMY GILLIS
CFO
CPA (CMA), BSc.
Ms. Gillis is a CPA, CMA with over 20 years' experience in the public markets bringing comprehensive background in finance, reporting and regulatory requirements for junior exploration, manufacturing, bio-technology, and technology industries. Ms. Gillis has been part of teams that have completed several financings, grant applications and acquisition transactions. Ms. Gillis started her career working at a corporate and securities law firm. Ms. Gillis previously served as Corporate Accountant for an international manufacturing company that had revenue in excess of $120 million and as Chief Financial Officer for a technology company with patented cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries that successfully built a pilot plant with the assistant of over $4 million in government grants. Ms. Gillis has served as an officer for several TSX-V and CSE listed issuers.
KIM KIRKLAND
Chief Operating Officer
Registered Professional Geologist, State of Wyoming, RPG #2663
Has held executive and lead engineering roles with some of the world's largest mining companies. Barrick Gold Corp., Rio Tinto Group, MMG Ltd., Amec Foster Wheeler PLC, McEwen Mining. Project lead with extensive South American experience, who can proficiently lead exploration programs and mining operations through milling, extraction/concentration and optimization/beneficiation.
Directors
WARREN LEVY
Director
B. Sc.
Mr. Levy brings more than 23 years of experience developing major and private companies in resource development across the Americas, corporate expansion. He has achieved significant milestones and successes that have been centred around community engagement, sustainable development of infrastructure, energy and natural resource development.
Mr. Levy is the current CEO of Frontier Advisory, an advisory firm, providing energy policy advocacy, sustainability, market entry, capital raising and technical support to responsible natural resource and social development around Latin America.
He is also former CEO of Jaguar E&P, as well as former CEO of Pentanova Petroleum.
ZARA KANJI
Director
CPA, CGA
Zara is a founder of Zara Kanji & Associates (established in 2004). Zara is experienced in financial reporting compliance for junior listed resource companies, personal and corporate taxation, general accounting, financial reporting and value-added operational consulting services for individuals, private and public companies. Prior to starting her accounting practice, Zara served as a controller for a marketing company, as an accountant in public practice for a CA firm, a CGA firm and as an analyst for a pension fund. In addition to providing accounting and financial compliance services to private and public entities, Zara has served as director and officer for several listed issuers. Zara has been a Member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and Canada and has been a designated professional for almost two decades. Zara holds a Bachelor of Technology in Accounting (Honors) and a Diploma in Corporate Finance (Honors) from the British Columbia Institute of Technology
NEIL PETTIGREW
Director
M.Sc., P.Geo.
Neil is a professional geologist in good standing registered in Ontario with over 20 years of experience in the mineral exploration industry receiving his Honours B.Sc. from the University of New Brunswick and his M.Sc. from the University of Ottawa. Neil has been employed as a Senior Precambrian Geoscientist with the Ontario Geological Survey and has worked for several junior and major companies in gold and Cu-Ni-PGE exploration. He has held officer and director positions at several TSX and TSX-V listed junior companies and currently sits as Vice President Exploration and director of Palladium One Mining Inc (TSXV Listed).
Advisory Board
ANTONIOS MARAGAKIS
Strategic Advisor
PhD, MSc., PMP
Mining-focused Project Manager and Civil Engineer who has built, optimized and operated mines globally throughout his career. Has held Management and Director- level positions overseeing multi- billion-dollar project portfolios globally. Barrick Gold Inc, Skeena Resources, Ltd., Freeport McMoRan Inc, Eldorado Gold Corp., Koch Industries.
SHANE WILLIAMS
Strategic Advisor
M.Sc., B.Eng.
Mr. Williams carries a history of significant value creation in both early-stage and operating companies, which includes senior executive and management roles overseeing and delivering world-class multi-billion dollar projects at highly prominent companies, including; Chief Executive Officer at West Red Lake Gold (TSXV Listed), Chief Operation Officer at Skeena Resources Limited (NYSE Listed), Eskay Creek Project, former Senior Vice President at Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE Listed), $2B Global Project Portfolio, former General Manager of Expansion Projects at Rio Tinto Group (NYSE Listed), $2.5B CAPEX, and former Vice President of Projects at Kaunis Iron AB, $800M Flagship Kaunisvarra Iron Ore Project.
KEVIN ARIAS
Strategic Advisor
Mr. Arias brings over two decades of experience across industries such as mining, energy, and corporate finance. His strong background in business development, investor relations, securities, and corporate communications, combined with a proven track record in raising over CAD $100 million since 2008, positions him as a valuable addition to the Element79 team.
Mr. Arias currently serves as Managing Director at Maple Grove Capital Inc., where he has honed his skills in navigating the complex landscapes of upstream energy, mining, and metals sectors. His prior roles include Vice President of Corporate Relations for Red Eagle Mining, Black Eagle Mining, and Slater Mining, as well as positions with Dundee Securities Corporation and Scotia McLeod, further showcasing his versatility and leadership within the industry.
