Corporate

Ayesha Hira is a seasoned mining executive with over 25 years in the sector, starting her journey as a geologist in diamond, base metals, and gold exploration. She transitioned into capital markets, working in the global mining teams at CIBC World Markets and RBC Capital Markets, with North American, UK, Australian, South African, and European listed mining and steel companies. At Lucara Diamond Corp., a Lundin Group company, she served as VP of Corporate Development & Strategy, focusing on strategic growth and mergers. She has held board roles with Lucara Botswana, Clara Diamond Solutions, and the Responsible Jewellery Council, representing the Mining Forum. Ms. Hira earned a Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology from Queen’s University, Canada, is a CFA Charterholder and holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Rodrigo Costa has over 30 years of technical and operational experience in the Brazilian mining industry, specifically in the mining and processing of gold ore, hydrometallurgical processes and occupational safety. During his professional career, he has been responsible for the implementation, management, construction, commissioning and operation of projects of renowned mining companies such as Mineração Morro Velho, Votorantim, Desert Sun Mining, Yamana Gold, Jacobina Mineração, Vanadium de Maracás and Serabi Mineração in Pará. Mr. Costa is a graduate from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), and also holds a Master of Engineering degree from Queen's University.

Ian Pritchard boasts over 30 years of mining industry expertise, with a focus on project and operations management in North America and Brazil. His experience includes overseeing pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, as well as engineering, procurement, and construction management projects. Mr. Pritchard has held pivotal roles in several prominent engineering and mining firms such as SNC-Lavalin and De Beers Canada. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Belo Sun Mining Corp., Senior Vice President-Technical Services at Troilus Gold Corp., and holds board positions with Lithium Ionic, and Signal Gold, Inc.

Ryan Ptolemy is a CPA, CGA and CFA charter holder and obtained a B.A. from Western University. He serves as CFO to a number of public and private companies in the mining sector, specializing in South American exploration and development stage companies. He formerly served as CFO for an independent investment dealer in Toronto where he was responsible for financial reporting, auditing, budgeting and internal controls.

Stéphane Amireault, MASc, P.Eng., holds a Master of Applied Sciences degree from École Polytechnique at the Université de Montréal and is a member in good standing of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec. Mr. Amireault has over 25 years of experience in mineral exploration, particularly in Central and South America. He was formerly the Vice President of Exploration for Sulliden Gold Corporation Ltd. until its acquisition by Rio Alto Mining in 2014. 

Neil Said is a seasoned corporate securities lawyer with significant experience in the mining, oil & gas, and technology sectors. His experience includes directorships with Bluelake Mineral AB, Euro Sun Mining, Inc., Vilhelmina Mineral AB, O2Gold, Inc., and more. Mr. Said served in key leadership roles for corporations like ARHT Media, Inc., Forbes & Manhattan, Inc., and Medivolve, Inc. He began his legal career with a prominent Toronto corporate law firm and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) with a minor in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University.