Tectonic Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company created and operated by an experienced and well-respected technical and financial team with a track record of wealth creation for shareholders. Key members of the Tectonic team were involved with Kaminak Gold Corporation, the Company that raised C$165 million to fund the acquisition, discovery and advancement of the Coffee Gold Project in the Yukon Territory through to the completion of a bankable feasibility study before selling the multi-million-ounce gold project to Goldcorp Inc. (now Newmont Goldcorp) for C$520 million in 2016.
Tectonic is focused on the acquisition, exploration, discovery and development of mineral resources from district-scale projects in politically stable jurisdictions that have the potential to host world-class orebodies. Whether at home or at work, the Tectonic team is grounded on the following core values: passion, integrity, patience, focus, perseverance, honesty, fairness, accountability, respect and a play big mindset. The Company works for its shareholders and is committed to creating value for them.
Tony takes a vision and makes it a reality through hard work, tenacity, perseverance and sound strategy development. His passion, enthusiasm and drive are infectious, motivating and empowering the people around him. As Founder, President, CEO and Director of Tectonic Metals Inc., Tony is all in, working solely to create value for the company’s shareholders and stakeholders.
His loyalty and commitment to his work are undeniable, as demonstrated by the fact that he was the longest-serving employee of Kaminak Gold Corporation from inception in 2005 to the sale of the company, including the Coffee Gold Project, in 2016 to Goldcorp Inc. (now Newmont Goldcorp) for $520 million. Tony served as Vice President, Corporate Development for Kaminak executing the company's strategic planning, financing, business development and marketing while overseeing the public relations and investor communications of the company. Tony was pivotal in orchestrating capital raises totaling over $165 million to primarily fund the acquisition and advancement of the Coffee Gold Project in the Yukon Territory from a grassroots discovery through to the completion of a bankable feasibility study. He was also involved in monetizing Kaminak’s other projects by forming strategic alliances, joint venture agreements and creating public and private companies resulting in over $35 million being spent by third parties directly on Kaminak’s projects.
During his tenure with Kaminak, the company was ranked 8th best performing mining company from a peer group of some 1,200 mining companies, was listed as a 2015 TSX Venture 50 Company and was one of four companies selected out of 1,971 companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange as Best IR by IR Magazine in 2015.
Tony personifies Tectonic’s belief that responsible mineral exploration and development can positively impact the communities in which the company lives and operates and its committment to early and ongoing community engagement, best practices in environmental stewardship and the development of a strong safety culture.
Eira brings more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry, including 14 years with Aber Diamond Corporation (now Dominion Diamond), where she served in ever increasing roles from initial discovery as a geologist to Vice President Exploration and ultimately a Director of the Board. She was co-founder of Stornoway Diamond Corp., serving first as CEO and then as Executive Chairman. There she led the acquisition of the Renard diamond deposit, which subsequently became Quebec's first diamond mine. In 2007, she founded Lucara with partners Lukas Lundin and Ms. Catherine McLeod Seltzer. Eira served as CEO of Kaminak Gold Corporation, which was acquired by Goldcorp in 2016 for $520 Million. Eira now serves as President, CEO and Director of Lucara Diamond Corp. and a Director of Suncor Energy.
Dr. Armstrong has more than 30 years of combined experience in mining, mineral exploration, and government. Dr. Armstrong was with Lucara Diamond Corp. for more than 10 years where he was the Vice President of Mineral Resources and then in 2018 the Vice President of Technical Services. He was directly involved in the implementation of innovative and transformative diamond recovery techniques and responsible for modelling the unique diamond size distribution of the Karowe Diamond Mine. Dr. Armstrong led the Lucara team through study phases and ultimately the start of underground mining in progressing the Karowe underground expansion project. Dr. Armstrong has been involved in the planning and execution of successful diamond exploration and sampling programs ranging from generative to delineation and valuation. Dr. Armstrong spent his early career working on gold projects and mines in Yellowknife, Red Lake, and the Hope Bay Greenstone Belt. He was also the District Geologist and Diamond Geologist for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) between 1998 and 2004. Dr. Armstrong was the Hutchison Visiting Chair for Mineral Deposits at the University of Western Ontario from 2008 to 2010 where he served as a visiting professor, educating and mentoring the next generation of geologists-some of which have since become notable executives in the exploration industry. Dr. Armstrong received an undergraduate degree and his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Western Ontario, where his Ph.D. focused on the silicate and sulphide mineral chemistry of free-milling and refractory gold ores of the Con Mine, Yellowknife.
Mick’s 40+ years’ experience spans the mineral resource development cycle – exploration to discovery, resource estimation, mine planning, feasibility studies, project construction and mine operations through reclamation, remediation and closure. He has BS and MS degrees in the Earth Sciences (Economic Geology/Business) from Montana State University, Bozeman, and is Certified with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (CPG-11158).
He worked 20+ years for Placer Dome US, primarily in Nevada and Montana, as Chief Geologist, Chief Engineer and temporary Mine Superintendent at the McDermitt Mine, NV, and Golden Sunlight Mine, MT, as well as Project Geologist, Great Basin and Northwest District Exploration Manager, then Mine District Geologist (serving Cortez, Bald Mountain, Golden Sunlight Mine).
He subsequently managed exploration and mine development projects for Orvana Minerals for four years in Bolivia (Don Mario, Pederson) and the US (Butte Highlands) as Manager, Advanced Projects based in Golden, CO. He gained additional experience working for Denver CO-area engineering management, construction, IT and environmental companies during period of downturn in the mineral industry.
He has worked for Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. for the past 15 years as a Senior Geologist (Reno, NV) then US / Western Canada Exploration Manager, now as Director, Project Evaluations managing the Vancouver office. He helped develop Agnico Eagle’s Project Evaluations process and was involved with the evaluation and acquisition of the Meadowbank (Cumberland Resources) and Meliadine (Comaplex Minerals) Nunavut projects. He has extensive experience working with cross-functional teams conducting project evaluations through formal due diligence, focused on joint venture, partnership, M&A opportunities throughout the Americas and Europe.
Joe has practiced natural resources law in Alaska since 1979 - first with Guess & Rudd P.C. and then, for the last 14 years, with Stoel Rives LLP. He has represented mining companies, oil and gas companies, Alaska Native corporations, and financial institutions in connection with natural resource transactions, properties, and projects. Joe has worked in some capacity on every major resource project in Alaska (including the Greens Creek, Fort Knox, Red Dog, and Pogo mines), on many major transactions, and hundreds of smaller transactions.
Throughout his career, Joe has devoted significant time and energy to the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation). He is co-author of Title VI (“Alaska Lands and Mineral Interests”) of the American Law of Mining (2d ed. 1984 and regular updates), is the author or co-author of eight papers presented at continuing legal education programs offered by the Foundation and has served as a trustee of the Foundation and on the Scholarship Committee of the Foundation.
Joe received his law degree (J.D., 1979) from the University of Denver College of Law (now the Sturm College of Law) and his undergraduate degree (B.S.E. in Geological Engineering, 1976) from Princeton University. After more than 40 years in Alaska, Joe now resides in Portland, Oregon, where he is in his last year as senior counsel to Stoel Rives LLP.
Peter has over 30 years of technical and management experience in mineral exploration covering North and South America, Australia, and Africa. Prior to his appointment at VP Ex, Peter was an integral part of Tectonic’s technical team, focused on the exploration and interpretation of the Company’s Alaska properties. Peter’s corporate industry experience includes roles as Vice President - Exploration for North Country Gold Corp. and Niblack Mineral Development Inc., Director and President for Altiplano Minerals Ltd., Director for both Cedar Mountain Exploration Inc and Brilliant Resources Inc. Peter has extensive experience exploring for and delineating orogenic gold deposits, particularly in northern climates having managed large exploration programs in the Canadian arctic across the Committee Bay greenstone belt and at Hope Bay greenstone belt for Miramar Mining Corp, where the 8.5-million-ounce gold deposit was sold to Newmont for $1.5 billion in 2007. Peter holds MSc and BSc (Hons) degrees in geology from the University of Alberta.
To be the number one mineral exploration company in the world.
To create transformational wealth for our shareholders by identifying, discovering and developing world-class gold districts in North America with a commitment to high standards of environmental stewardship and maximizing social and economic benefits to the communities in which we live and operate in.
We take responsibility for our actions and are held accountable. We learn from our experiences and search for continuous improvement.
We are dreamers, and as dreamers, we ignore the word impossible. Whether playing big or playing small, the same effort is required; the only difference is the level of your insecurity. Why not play big?
Focus is everything. Our dedicated team knows the meaning of hard work and attention and decides to focus on what matters most instead of letting our goals become a blur.
It is the only way to be. Our word is our bond. We do what we say, and live up to the highest standards of fairness and ethical behavior.
We love what we do and are committed to the success of our company.
At Tectonic, we work hard to earn your trust and respect on everything we do.
Eira Thomas, Tectonic Founder, commented, “Exploration is the lifeblood of the mining industry, and where the most value can be leveraged for shareholders through the success of discovery. Tectonic brings together a strong, experienced team and top tier assets in highly rated, under-explored, first world jurisdictions. We have engaged early and developed key relationships with all of our stakeholders and First Nations partners with a commitment to maximizing value for the communities in which we live and work.
Target Discovery-Stage,
District Scale Opportunities
Manage Risk
We are incredibly fortunate to attract such exceptional talent to our Technical Advisory Committee at this stage. The establishment of the Technical Advisory Committee demonstrates our focused approach in considering our projects as mining opportunities rather than mere 'drill plays'. By bringing this expertise on board now, we can gain a deeper understanding of the mineralizing systems at our Flat Gold Project and strategically plan our drilling program to fully realize its potential. These additions not only possess expertise in structural geology but also bring economic and operational perspectives to the table for the advancement of our current and future projects. They are expected to make an immediate impact on our Flat Gold Project, further strengthening our team's knowledge and expertise in all key areas of exploration and mining. This impressive roster of top professionals reflects Tectonic's commitment to excellence and positions the Company for continued success in the exploration and mining industry.
Mr. Smith has been involved in the design, construction, operations and closure of heap leach mine and tailings management facilities for 35 years. Many of the design standards used in modern heap leaching and tailings disposal were developed by Mr. Smith or his team. He has authored and co-authored over 30 technical papers and contributed to various publications and texts in the fields of heap leaching, tailings management, sustainable development, containment systems, and closure.
Mr. Smith was the founder of Vector Engineering, Inc., a 500-person engineering firm specializing in tailings and heap leach engineering with offices in seven countries and working around the world. He has worked extensively throughout North and South America, including the USA, Canada and the Andean nations. He has co-authored several papers on cold-climate heap leaching and worked on projects in extreme latitudes in both the north and south.
His key heap leach projects and mines have included: Teck’s Quebrada Blanca & Nueva Union - Chile; Victoria’s Eagle Gold - Yukon, Canada; Barrick’s Goldstrike, Carlin & Cortez - USA, Veladero - Argentina, Pierina & Lagunas Norte - Peru; Newmont’s Coffee Gold – Yukon, Canada, Carlin - USA, Yanacocha - Peru; BHP Billiton’s Cerro Colorado, Spence & Escondida - Chile, Tintaya - Peru, Cerro Matoso - Colombia; Vale’s Cristalino, Area 118 & Piaui - Brazil; Rio Tinto’s Barney’s Canyon - USA, La Granja - Peru, Ranger - Australia and Rossing - Namibia; Codelco’s Radomiro Tomic & El Abra - Chile, and Freeport’s Cerro Verde - Peru.
Fred H. Lightner is a metallurgical engineer from the Colorado School of Mines and has over 50 years of industry experience (+25 projects) specializing in heap leach gold project evaluation, consultation, feasibility, construction and operations. Fred has worked in the heap leaching gold sector almost exclusively since 1980 and has held senior management positions with Tenneco Minerals, Pegasus Gold, Wharf Resources, and Metallica Resources. His experience includes the evaluation, development, and operation of successful open pit gold mining heap leach projects in the USA, Mexico, Ghana, South America, and the Yukon.
His most recent consulting assignments were with Grayd Resources for the La India heap leach mine in Mexico. After the completion of the preliminary economic assessment, Grayd was acquired by Agnico Eagle Mines. Fred was then Director Mine Development with Kaminak Gold for the development and feasibility study of the Coffee Gold heap leach project in the Yukon. After the feasibility study was complete, Kaminak was acquired by Goldcorp (now Newmont). Fred then consulted for Orla Mining, who owned the Camino Rojo gold/silver heap leach project in Mexico. After the development period and feasibility study, Orla built the mine which is in operation today.
The foundation of Tectonic’s governance is knowledgeable, independent and effective directors that share Tectonic’s core values.
Tectonic is committed to maintaining the highest possible corporate standards and personal integrity with respect to all aspects of our business. Tectonic has adopted a Code of Conduct and Business Ethics that communicates how we put our values in action and governs the behaviour of our directors, officers and employees.
We know we are successful when we manage the economic, social and environmental aspects of our business in a manner that aligns with our core values. We integrate our values into our operations and consider them at each decision point.
We take a thoughtful and timely approach to assess emerging governance best practices. We will continually evaluate our business to make appropriate commitments to internationally recognized mining standards and voluntary sustainability initiatives
Our remarkable team have accomplished great things in the past few years, and we’re looking for more people to join us—people who are passionate, motivated and eager to learn and grow.
At Tectonic, we work hard to earn your trust and respect with everything we do. We make it a priority to support the aspirations of every individual. We are dreamers, and as dreamers, we ignore the word impossible.
Discover the many benefits of joining our team.