Advisory Board

Craig is an internationally recognized geoscientist who played a pivotal role in the development of intrusion-related gold systems, such as those that form gold at Sitka’s RC project. He was most recently the Director and an Associate Professor at the MDRU-Mineral Deposit Research Geologist at The University of British Columbia. Craig was also a founding geologist with the Yukon Geological Survey and contributed 15 years as a mapping and mineral deposit geologist and has an outstanding understanding of Yukon geology and mineral deposits. He has a PhD from the University of Western Australia and has contributed to the publication of >150 scientific papers.

Tim, Executive Chairman and co-founder of Eagle Plains Resources, is a professional geologist with over 40 years of experience in the mineral exploration industry. Since leaving Cominco in the late 1980s, Tim has worked on exploration projects throughout North and South America. Eagle Plains currently owns a broad range of exploration projects targeting various commodities throughout British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Yukon.  Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin-outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and Taiga Gold being notable examples. Most recently, Eagle Plains spun out Eagle Royalties Ltd., which is listed on the CSE and holds over 50 royalty assets in western Canada. Tim currently serves as President and CEO of Eagle Royalties.

Mr. Joe Piekenbrock brings over 35 years of experience to the mining exploration and development industry where he has managed all aspects of exploration from grassroots discovery through advanced acquisitions. From 2003 to 2011, he served as Vice President, Exploration for NovaGold Resources and more recently served as Senior Vice President of Exploration for NovaCopper. He has extensive experience throughout Latin America for Placer Dome and was one of the founding members of Brett Resources. Earlier in his career during his tenure at Cominco Alaska, he was a member of the exploration team responsible for discovery of the Whistler Cu deposit, the Sleitat Sn deposit, the Shotgun Au deposit and the giant Pebble Cu/Au deposit. Since joining the Nova group of companies in 2003, he has been instrumental in a leading a series of major discoveries including the Donlin Creek Au deposit and the Bornite Cu deposit in Alaska and Galore Creek Cu/Au porphyry deposit in British Columbia. He was awarded the Thayer Lindsley medal for International Discovery in 2009 for his role in the discovery of the Donlin Creek deposit. Mr. Piekenbrock holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geology from the University of Colorado, and a Master of Science degree in geology from the University of Arizona

Syd has over 40 years’ experience in the mining industry. He is a professional geoscientist and a geophysicist specializing in applying and advancing various geophysical exploration techniques on mineral properties worldwide. Syd is a graduate from the Haileybury School of Mines (1971) and completed a B.Sc. with Honours in geology and geophysics at the University of British Columbia (1981). He is the Founder and President of SJ Geophysics Ltd. which has provided geophysical surveys from the ground and air for numerous mineral exploration companies for over 30 years. Syd is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and is a regular keynote speaker with engagements worldwide in response to his renowned reputation as a very knowledgeable and experienced geophysicist and geologist.

​Mr. Close is the Founder and President of Ethos Geological Inc. and has held Senior Technical Advisor and Exploration Manager roles throughout North America. Scott has an M.Sc. in Earth Sciences from SFU and specializes in resource evaluation and development. Key strengths that Mr. Close brings to the table are in project analysis, structural geology and recognizing subtle characteristics that vector toward mineral discoveries. When not focused on porphyries or gold veins, Scott’s current research is on the ‘boring billion’, a period of time most researchers have ignored for metallic minerals, yet during which giant copper systems such as Mt. Isa (in Australia) and Keweenaw (in Michigan) were developed.

Sam Wallingham has been involved in the exploration and mining industry for most of his life. He brings extensive experience and knowledge in community affairs, First Nations governance, First Nations training, and negotiations. For the past 25 years, Sam has worked across the north with several mining companies in a variety of capacities, including as a community affairs manager, negotiator, and personal manger. As an advocate for First Nations community involvement and development, Sam has served on many boards as a First Nations representative and appointee and Yukon government appointee. Sam currently sits on the Yukon Water Board.