Invited Speakers

Edine Bakker

Gold Line Resources

Edine is a consulting geologist who has explored the European continent for base and precious metals over the past decade. She currently holds the role of Exploration Manager for Gold Line Resources, managing a portfolio of prospective gold assets in Fennoscandia. In previous positions, including at the Geological Survey of Sweden, Edine was involved in various EU-funded international raw materials research projects. Edine holds a B.Sc. degree from Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam and an M.Sc. degree from the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich.

Steve Beresford

Exploration Radio

Steve is the co-creator of Exploration Radio with Ahmad Saleem. He is the generator of topics covered on the podcast and occasionally jumps in the interview chair with Ahmad. Steve has been Chief Geoscientist for a number of mining companies and a professor at several universities in Australia. He is a systems thinker with an emphasis on mentoring change and building teams, often from scratch, with global experience in 64 countries and desktop experience in many more. Steve has worked in Ni, sediment-hosted Cu, VHMS, channel Fe, diamond, pegmatite Li, porphyry Cu, and HREE exploration, and his current passion is looking for supergiant deposits formed by interaction with salt.

Maeve Boland

iCRAG

Maeve is a Geoscience Policy, Communications, and Public Affairs Specialist at the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG). She was Director of Geoscience Policy at the American Geosciences Institute from 2013 to 2018 and has extensive experience in both geoscience and policy in Ireland and the United States. She holds geology degrees from Trinity College Dublin and a Ph.D. from Colorado School of Mines.

Simon Bolster

Portable PPB

Simon is the Managing Director for Portable PPB. He is a geoscientist with over 30 years' experience in the gold exploration industry, specializing in regolith geochemistry and remote sensing. Previously, Simon served as a consulting geochemist for Newmont (global role) and a regolith specialist for Normandy Exploration and Anglo American (Africa). He has also held the position of Head of Exploration with a successful West African exploration company. Simon has worked in 30 countries on 5 continents, founded and operated a successful regolith geochemistry consulting company, undertaken numerous geochemical orientation surveys, and led regolith geochemistry training seminars and courses.

Todd Chapman

U.S. Ambassador to Brazil

Todd recently concluded a 30-year diplomatic career, most recently as U.S. Ambassador to Brazil. Previously, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs, and Charge d'Affaires in Mozambique. Ambassador Chapman is a non-resident senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, an advisory board member at the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, and a non-resident fellow at the Colorado School of Mines' Payne Institute for Public Policy. He is also a business consultant serving on various corporate boards, including Skycatch, a geospatial data analytics company working with many of the largest mining companies in the world. He is based in Denver, Colorado.  

Brenton Crawford

Datarock

Brenton studied structural geology and geophysics at Monash University. He then spent several years consulting in mine geology, structural geology, and geophysics for PGN Geoscience as well as working in a variety of geologic and geophysical roles, predominantly in exploration. Brenton has also worked as a geophysicist and data scientist for MMG Exploration in nickel, copper, and zinc exploration and project generation. In 2015, he co-founded Solve Geosolutions, Australia's first exploration and mining-focused data science consultancy, and in 2019, he co-founded Datarock, a computer vision technology company geared at building productionized image and video analysis solutions for exploration and mining. Brenton currently serves as Datarock's Chief Operating Officer.

Sally Goodman

Newmont

Sally is Vice-President of Generative Exploration for Newmont, spearheading the drive to discovery across the company’s global portfolio of early-stage gold exploration projects. She has held management positions with Newmont, Goldcorp, and Atlantic Gold, and traveled globally as a consultant in structural geology with SRK Consulting. Prior to that, she held various lecturing and research posts in universities in Canada and the UK. Sally has a Ph.D. in economic geology and an M.Sc. in mineral exploration from the Royal School of Mines, London (UK), and a B.Sc. in geological sciences from Leeds University (UK).

Jane Hammarstrom

USGS

Jane is a research geologist with the Geology, Energy and Minerals Science Center at the United States Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia. She holds a B.S. in geology from George Washington University and an M.S. in geology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Her research focuses on mineral resource assessment, mineralogy of mine waste, and most recently, critical minerals as part of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative. Jane is a recipient of the U.S. Department of the Interior Distinguished Service Award and an associate editor for Ore Geology Reviews. She is a past president of the Geological Society of Washington and a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, the Geological Society of America, and the Mineralogical Society of America.

Murray Hitzman

University College Dublin, iCRAG

Murray is a Science Foundation Ireland Professor in the School of Earth Sciences, University College Dublin, and Director of the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG). He previously served as Associate Director for Energy and Minerals at the U.S. Geological Survey, Charles Fogarty Professor of Economic Geology at Colorado School of Mines, a policy analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the U.S. Senate, and an exploration geologist conducting mineral exploration worldwide. Hitzman has B.A. degrees in anthropology and geology from Dartmouth College, an M.S. in geology from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in geology from Stanford University.

Elizabeth Holley

Colorado School of Mines, SEG Distinguished Lecturer

Elizabeth has fifteen years of experience in economic geology and mining geology, including industry project management and academic research. She is currently an associate professor at Colorado School of Mines, teaching courses and advising graduate students on geologic aspects of mineral exploration and mine development. Her specialties include expertise in a range of geologic environments and mineral deposit types, including epithermal Au-Ag systems, gold in the Guyana shield, and Carlin-type deposits. Elizabeth aided in Underworld Resources' discovery of the White Gold deposit, Yukon, and she developed new methods for the detection and characterization of dissolving sulfide minerals in aqueous environments. She has also designed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental science, geology, and mineral exploration.

Shawn Hood

GoldSpot Discoveries Corp.

Shawn is a professional geologist with over 17 years of global experience. He is the Chief Technology Officer for GoldSpot Discoveries Corp., a technology company that creates and applies artificial intelligence, data sciences, and field data collection methods to discover mineral deposits more quickly, efficiently, and with reduced cost. Previously, Shawn has worked globally in exploration and mining roles, and he maintains an external researcher position at the CODES Centre of Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences in Tasmania to lecture and publish on the subject of AI in mineral exploration. He received the Society of Economic Geologists Graduate Student Fellowship in 2009 and holds Bachelor of Science (Hons), Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in geology.

Kurt House

KoBold Metals

Kurt is the CEO of KoBold Metals, an entrepreneur who works at the interface of technology and natural resources, and an adjunct professor in Stanford University's Energy Resources Engineering Department. He previously founded a carbon sequestration and enhanced oil recovery business as well as a direct investment platform to acquire North American natural gas assets. Kurt was a KAUST Research Fellow at MIT, where he studied the chemistry and physics of CO2 capture and storage. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in earth and planetary science for similar work and his B.A. in physics from the Claremont Colleges. Kurt has also worked in private equity and corporate advising for Bain & Company.

Simon Jowitt

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Simon is currently an associate professor of economic geology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research focuses on the use of geochemistry to unravel geologic and mineralizing processes, mineral economics, global metal resources and security of supply of the critical elements, and the "economic" side of economic geology. Simon also studies the environmental impact of mining and the potential uses of mining and other wastes for metal production and carbon sequestration. He has published more than 95 scientific papers and peer-reviewed book chapters since 2010, is currently Vice-President for Student Affairs for the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG), and was the recipient of the SEG's Waldemar Lindgren Award in 2014.

Robert Kaemba

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

Robert is Exploration Manager with First Quantum Minerals Ltd., leading a multi-disciplinary team in the sediment-hosted copper search space. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in applied geology from the University of Leicester (2007) and is a recipient of the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3, UK) Award. He also completed a High Impact Leadership (HIL) Certification with the University of Cambridge in 2020. Rob manages sediment-hosted copper grassroots, brownfield, and advanced-stage exploration projects. He has an interest in initiatives that may improve stakeholder engagement to foster success in obtaining social license to operate.

Dave Lawie

IMDEX

Dave holds the dual roles of Chief Geoscientist and Chief Technologist–Mining for IMDEX. Prior to joining IMDEX, he held global positions in exploration geochemistry and R&D with Pasminco and Anglo American before co-founding ioGlobal in 2004 as Managing Director. Dave grew ioGlobal into a global company specializing in geochemistry and geometallurgical consulting services, cloud-based data management and the ioGAS desktop analytics software; the company was acquired by IMDEX in 2012. Dave holds a Ph.D. in geosciences and analytics from the University of New England and a trade qualification as an instrument technician.

Peter Megaw

Consultant, IMDEX/Cascabel

Peter is a consulting exploration geologist, President of IMDEX/Cascabel, and cofounder of Minera Cascabel, MAG Silver, and Minaurum Gold. He has studied and published on the carbonate replacement deposits and epithermal vein deposits of Mexico for decades and is a frequent speaker at international academic and technical symposia, often presenting in Spanish. He and his team are credited with significant discoveries at Juanicipio-Fresnillo, Zacatecas; Platosa, Durango; and Cinco de Mayo-Pozo Seco, Chihuahua. Peter received the Carnegie Mineralogical Medal in 2009, the Society of Mining Engineers Robert M. Dreyer Award in Applied Economic Geology in 2012, and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Thayer Lindsley Award, based on his signal discoveries in Mexico, in 2017.

Stephanie Mills

Utah Geological Survey

Stephanie is a senior economic geologist with the Utah Geological Survey. Stephanie received her B.S. Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, and after receiving her Ph.D. from Monash University in Australia, she worked several years in exploration before joining the Survey in 2019. Her research focuses on magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems and developing field-based exploration techniques. Stephanie is a registered professional geologist and a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists.

Nedal Nassar

USGS

As Chief of Minerals Intelligence Research at the USGS, Nedal quantifies the stocks and flows of mineral commodities, develops supply and demand scenarios, and assesses the mineral commodity supply risks to the U.S. economy. He serves on the U.S. National Science and Technology Council’s Critical Minerals Subcommittee, the Executive Committee of the USGS Council of Senior Science Advisors, and advisory boards of various international projects. In 2019, he was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. He holds Ph.D., M.Phil., and M.E.Sc. degrees from Yale University, an M.B.A. from Cornell University, and a B.Ch.E. from the University of Minnesota.

Robert North

Freeport McMoRan

Robert has over 40 years of experience in geology and mineralogy, including 10 years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He began his career in 1978 as Mineralogist for the New Mexico Bureau of Mines in Socorro. Bob left the Bureau in 1988 to work for Phelps Dodge at Morenci and later as Chief Geologist at the Chino mine. Bob transferred to PD Exploration in Oro Valley, Arizona, in 2006, ultimately leading to his assignment to Tenke Fungurume Mining in 2008 for Freeport McMoRan. Bob holds a B.S. in geology from Illinois State University and an M.S. from Northern Illinois University.

Matthew Pearson

Fleet Space Technologies, Alauda

Matthew is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for space technology. Having co-founded companies including Fleet Space Technologies and Alauda, Matthew is an expert in bringing new and innovative technologies to market, startup management, systems development, and online product development. His mission at Fleet is to create breakthrough tools for explorers of new worlds, including satellite-driven automated and non-invasive exploration for mineral and material deposits.

Rick Rule

Rule Investment Media

Rick is the President and CEO of Rule Investment Media. Rick began his career 47 years ago, in 1974, in the securities business and has been involved in it ever since. He is known for his expertise in many resource sectors, including agriculture, alternative energy, forestry, oil and gas, mining, and water. Mr. Rule is actively engaged in private placement markets through originating and participating in hundreds of debt and equity transactions.

Ahmad Saleem

Exploration Radio

Ahmad co-hosts Exploration Radio, a podcast on the past, present, and future of mining and exploration. He is currently Director of Business Development for VerAI, a project generator utilizing the latest in artificial intelligence technology. His professional career includes time in technical roles on exploration and mining projects, as an analyst in a private equity firm, and as Exploration Manager for a junior exploration company. He has been involved as a founder or early member of various technology startups and currently runs a data analytics consultancy focusing on developing data mining techniques. Ahmad is an ardent advocate of utilizing modern, innovative techniques to explore new and mature geologic terrains. He is also passionate about the role of softer skills in exploration success.

Anders Sand

Boliden

Anders has about 15 years’ experience in senior academic and corporate positions in the mining industry, with the main field of expertise being in mineral processing technology. At Boliden, he has held positions as Process Manager, Manager of the Process Technology R&D Programme and, currently, Research Manager. He holds a D.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from Åbo Akademi University, Finland, and is Docent in Mineral Processing at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden.

Douglas Silver

Balfour Holdings, LLC

Douglas received his M.S. in Economic Geology from the University of Arizona and began his career for Anaconda Copper as one of the discoverers of the Silver Creek molybdenum deposit in Colorado. Doug later became the head of Investor Relations for Bond International Gold. After Bond, his personal consulting company, Balfour Holdings, provided him 20 years of senior management consulting. In 2005, Douglas put together the team that built International Royalty Corporation and grew it into the fourth largest royalty company. He sold it for a handsome profit in 2011 and spent the last ten years of his career as a senior member of Orion Resource Partners. In 2018, Douglas was inducted into the U.S, National Mining Hall of Fame.

Isaac Simon

Colorado School of Mines

Isaac is a Ph.D. student at Colorado School of Mines with professional experience in Cu production and exploration of base and precious metals. His research has involved geochemical methods including U-Pb age dating of syndeformational mineral growth, origin and ore-forming conditions of hydrothermal pentlandite-quartz veins, and hydrogeochemical signatures of mining. Isaac is currently doing research on geochemical processes leading to contamination from artisanal and small-scale mining in Arequipa, Peru. His work is part of the Center for Mining Sustainability research group—a collaboration between the Colorado School of Mines and the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin de Arequipa. Projects through the Center for Mining Sustainability focus on managing mining practices sustainably while supporting local economies and reducing environmental impacts in southern Peru.

Sam Thiele

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR),

Sam is a postdoctoral researcher at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Freiberg, Germany. He holds a Ph.D. in geology and has 15 years of programming experience. His areas of expertise include exploration targeting, data visualization, and GIS analysis and development. Sam is particularly interested in the challenges earth scientists face when integrating and synthesizing diverse and multi-scale datasets. He has a broad range of research interests and skills, but especially enjoys applying new mapping technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles ("drones") to gain insight into volcanic and geothermal environments in a more sophisticated way.

John Tumazos

John Tumazos Very Independent Research LLC

John holds a B.S. in management science and economics (1978) and an M.S. in industrial administration (1979) from Carnegie-Mellon University. Over the course of his career, he has worked for a variety of organizations, including Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin, & Jenrette, and Texas Rare Earth Resources. Currently, Mr. Tumazos operates John Tumazos Very Independent Research LLC, serving as a financial advisor to nine emerging gold, uranium, PGM, rare earth and base metals companies, among other clients. He was inducted into Institutional Investor's All-American Research Team "Hall of Fame" in December 2011. In his spare time, Mr. Tumazos enjoys athletics and outdoor activities, having completed 84 triathlons since 1994.

Frances Wall

Met4Tech

Frances specializes in technology raw materials, including rare earth elements and lithium, with interests in geology, processing, responsible sourcing, and circular economy. She is principal investigator for the Met4Tech circular economy centre and is/has recently been involved in various international consortium research projects involving exploration for critical metals (sosrare.org, alkcarb.org, greenpeg.eu, lithiumfuture.org), as well as regional development of mineral resources. Frances was named one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining 2016 and was awarded the William Smith medal of the Geological Society of London for applied and economic aspects of geology in 2019.