Team

James C. Tworek

Chief Executive Officer eMBA, BA Latin American Studies, Business

Mr. Tworek has worked in Finance for the past 24 years, having started in commercial banking in 1998, and later working as a partner in a mortgage brokerage with an in-house mezzanine development fund for 7.5 years. During and since that time, James has operated a Corporate Finance Consulting firm working with Funds, Family Offices, Private Equity and Venture Capital.

In addition to his role as CEO at Element79 Gold Corp, Mr. Tworek is a Director of Florence One Capital Corp (FONE.P), a listed Capital Pool Company; a CoFounder and Director of Gaia Grow Corporation (CSE:GAIA); and an Advisor to the Board at Muzu Mining (CSE:MUZU). He sat as an Independent Director and Member of the Special Committee of Nabis Holdings Inc. (CSE:NAB) from September 2020 to January 2021, and sat as an Independent Director of Robix Environmental Technologies Inc. (CSE:RZX) from December 2018 to October 2020. James is always mindful to ensure open communication, honesty and integrity with all teammates and stakeholders.

Heidi Gutte

Chief Financial Officer B.S.C.S, CPA, CGA

Ms. Gutte specializes in providing corporate finance, financial reporting, consulting, taxation and other accounting services to public and private companies in various industries. She also assists in many aspects of clients' administration, corporate compliance and other activities.

Ms. Gutte earned her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Brandenburg, Germany. She holds the professional designation of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA), and is a member of Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C. and Canada. Ms. Gutte recent experience includes controller positions in accounting, finance, and administration with publicly traded mining and exploration companies.

Antonios (Tony) Maragakis

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, DIRECTOR BA, BSc, M.Sc., PhD, PMP

Mr. Maragakis completed his Ph.D. at the University of Delft, M.Sc. at the University of Bath, as well as his B.Sc and B.A. at the University of Nevada, and Executive Training at the London Business School. He brings with him 15+ years of experience leading some of the largest mining megaprojects in the last decade.  Mr. Maragakis holds a distinguished resume, including management and director-level positions overseeing multi-billion dollar project portfolios internationally at organizations such as:

• Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE Listed), where he lead project controls in North America across a portfolio of 70+ projects worth over $2.3 billion.
• Skeena Resources Limited (TSX Listed), where he worked closely with executive leadership to develop the Eskay Creek Project and corporate processes and management systems.
• Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE Listed), where he helped develop the $3 billion Indonesian Copper Smelter Project which includes a 2 million ton/annum smelter and precious metal recovery plant.
• Eldorado Gold Corporation (TSX, NYSE Listed), where he was Project Director for the over $1 billion Skouries Project as well as leading the operational turnaround of the Kassandra Mines.
• Koch Industries (the largest privately held company in the U.S.), at its subsidiary, Koch Ag. & Energy Solutions where he helped execute the Enid Expansion Megaproject, at the time the largest capital project ever undertaken by the entire Koch Industries conglomerate.
• Mochica Resources and Calipuy Resources (private Peruvian gold mines) where he oversaw the development of various project portfolios.

Kim Kirkland

VP Global Exploration Registered Professional Geologist, State of Wyoming, RPG # 2663

Kim's track-record spans senior executive and lead engineering roles at some of the world's largest mining companies. Key highlights of Mr. Kirkland's work history include:

• Barrick Gold Corporation - Involved during the early growth and innovation years at the Goldstrike Complex,
• including the development and maintenance of the open-pit mineral reserve model for the Betze-Post Mine.
• Rio Tinto Group: La Granja Copper Project in northern Peru, held a senior management position at the Benga Mine.
• MMG Ltd.: Regional Manager at the Las Bambas Copper Mine in Peru
• Amec Foster Wheeler Plc: Marcobre S.A.C.'s Mina Justa Mine Project.
• McEwen Mining: Responsible for the restructuring of the El Gallo Silver Project (later renamed to Fenix) in Sinaloa, Mexico, as the Director of Project Development.

Neil Pettigrew

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.

Shane Williams

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 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. 

Antonios (Tony) Maragakis

Chief Operating Officer, Director BA, BSc, M.Sc., PhD, PMP

Mr. Maragakis completed his Ph.D. at the University of Delft, M.Sc. at the University of Bath, as well as his B.Sc and B.A. at the University of Nevada, and Executive Training at the London Business School. He brings with him 15+ years of experience leading some of the largest mining megaprojects in the last decade.  Mr. Maragakis holds a distinguished resume, including management and director-level positions overseeing multi-billion dollar project portfolios internationally at organizations such as:

• Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE Listed), where he lead project controls in North America across a portfolio of 70+ projects worth over $2.3 billion.
• Skeena Resources Limited (TSX Listed), where he worked closely with executive leadership to develop the Eskay Creek Project and corporate processes and management systems.
• Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE Listed), where he helped develop the $3 billion Indonesian Copper Smelter Project which includes a 2 million ton/annum smelter and precious metal recovery plant.
• Eldorado Gold Corporation (TSX, NYSE Listed), where he was Project Director for the over $1 billion Skouries Project as well as leading the operational turnaround of the Kassandra Mines.
• Koch Industries (the largest privately held company in the U.S.), at its subsidiary, Koch Ag. & Energy Solutions where he helped execute the Enid Expansion Megaproject, at the time the largest capital project ever undertaken by the entire Koch Industries conglomerate.
• Mochica Resources and Calipuy Resources (private Peruvian gold mines) where he oversaw the development of various project portfolios.

Derek White

CEO, Ascot Resources

Derek White has over 30 years of experience in the mining and metals industry. He holds an undergraduate degree in Geological Engineering from the University of British Columbia and is also a Chartered Accountant. Prior to joining Ascot Resources Ltd. Mr. White, was the Principal of Traxys Capital Partners LLP, a private equity firm specializing in the mining and minerals sectors.

Mr. White was President and CEO of KGHM International Ltd. from 2012 to 2015, and also held the positions of Executive Vice President, Business Development and Chief Financial Officer of Quadra FNX Mining Ltd. from 2004 to 2012. Mr. White has held executive positions with International Vision Direct Ltd., BHP-Billiton Plc, Billiton International Metals BV and Impala Platinum Ltd., in Vancouver, Toronto, London, The Hague, and Johannesburg. Mr. White is also an ICSA Accredited Director.

Andy Cole

Metallurgical Engineer, MBA

Mr. Cole completed his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, and his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Materials Engineering at the University of Arizona. He brings with him over 34 years of experience in mine development, process operations, and production from working on and managing major North American gold mines and projects.

Mr. Cole's prominent roles within the mining industry include executive director and management positions at some of the most renowned mining corporations in the world, such as:

• Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE Listed), the second largest mining company in the world, where he accumulated 20 years of experience at its largest core asset,¹ the Goldstrike Mine (now part of Nevada Gold Mines LLC's Carlin Mine, a joint venture with Newmont Corporation²), in several operational capacities before being promoted to General Manager of the Goldstrike complex, and going on to serve as Executive Director, U.S.A. of Barrick Gold Corporation.³
• Donlin Gold LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between Barrick and NOVAGOLD Resources Inc. (NYSE Listed), where he acted as General Manager of the Donlin Gold Project in Alaska³, which has Proven & Probable Reserves of 33.9 million ounces of gold and is estimated to produce over one million ounces of gold per year on average once operational.⁴
• i-80 Gold Corp. (TSX Listed), where he is retained as Senior Metallurgical and Processing Advisor to the Operating Team, working to advance its portfolio of projects and assess opportunities to grow its future production profile.¹

Mr. Cole completed his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, and his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Materials Engineering at the University of Arizona. He brings with him over 34 years of experience in mine development, process operations, and production from working on and managing major North American gold mines and projects.