Management
Wesley (Wes) C. Hanson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Hanson was formerly Vice President Mine Development for Western Goldfields, before the recent announcement of its business combination with New Gold Inc. and he previously held the position of Vice President, Technical Services for Kinross Gold Corporation. Mr. Hanson has held several senior positions in the mining industry throughout his 25 year career, where he has been directly involved in the engineering construction and commissioning of numerous mining projects in Canada, the US, Brazil, Chile and Russia. Mr. Hanson has a Bachelor of Science, Geology from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada.
Gregory R. Rieveley
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Rieveley is a finance executive with 10 years experience in the mining and retail industries. Previously he held the position of Vice President, Internal Audit and Business Development at Harry Winston Diamond Corporation (formerly Aber Diamond Corporation), and prior to that he was the Controller for Dundee Precious Metals a mid sized copper and gold producer.
Mr. Rieveley is a Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia.
Paul Semple
Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Semple's 26 year career in the mining industry has focused on feasibility studies, project development and operations of precious and base metals deposits. Much of his time was spent with Kilborn (later SNC-Lavalin) where he was involved in all aspects of global project development from initial studies through to construction and operations. During this time, Mr. Semple held various positions including Vice President and General Manager, SNC Lavalin Engineers and Constructors. Recently, Mr. Semple was Vice President of Projects for Western Goldfields Inc, and was responsible for the feasibility study and engineering/construction required to restart the Mesquite Mine. Mr. Semple holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Queen's University and is a professional engineer.
Jeremy Niemi
Vice President, Geology
Mr. Niemi is a geologist with more than 13 years experience in the mining/resource industry, both at Corporate and Operational level. His work spans the gold and base metal industries throughout the Americas. He started his career with Inco Technical Services Limited in 1996 working on the Victor Deep project in the Sudbury basin. Following this he worked on mining and exploration projects throughout the world as a consultant with Datamine Canada and subsequently as an independent consultant.
Mr. Niemi was most recently, Manager, Technical Services, for Kinross Gold Corporation, in the Toronto Corporate Office. He is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, and holds a B.Sc. Honours degree in Earth Sciences from Laurentian University.
Chief Glenn Nolan
Vice President, Aboriginal Affairs
Mr. Nolan, a Chief of the Missanabie Cree First Nation, is a strong advocate for sharing information between the mining industry and Aboriginal Communities in Canada and internationally. As Chief, Mr. Nolan attended various conferences and state functions where he presented on the Canadian Aboriginal experience in the mineral industry and most recently presented to the Brazilian legislature at a special hearing on Indigenous people and mining.
Chief Nolan is a strong advocate for sharing information between the mining industry and Aboriginal Communities in Canada and internationally. Chief Nolan attends various conferences and state functions where he presents on the Canadian Aboriginal experience in the mineral industry and recently presented to the Brazilian legislature at a special hearing on Indigenous people and mining.
Chief Nolan advises a number of exploration and mining companies on Aboriginal issues as well as providing information to Aboriginal communities on partnership development and opportunities related to resource development. He is committed to continuing the creation of greater dialogue between industry, government and Aboriginal communities through his organization Learning Together Corporation, a nationally incorporated, non-profit company with the objective of building greater awareness of Aboriginal issues for the mining industry as well as supporting the greater participation of Aboriginal people and Aboriginal communities in the mining industry.
Chief Nolan is the second Vice President of Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada where he is the co-chair of the Aboriginal Affairs committee and is also a director of a publicly traded Jr. mining company.
Chief Nolan began his career in mining in the mid seventies, prospecting throughout northern and western Canada working for a number of major mining companies before starting his own contracting company, conducting geophysical surveys, staking claims and camp management.
Besides his advocacy work, Chief Nolan was first elected as Chief of the Missanabie Cree First Nation in July 2001. Missanabie is located in northeastern Ontario. He is negotiating a land claim for the community and has been instrumental in developing a number of community-owned businesses.
Leanne Hall
Vice President, Human Resources
Leanne Hall, is a dedicated, pro-active, and enthusiastic entrepreneur and leader with over 19 years of leadership experience in the human resources industry. During this time, she has mined profitable opportunities and delivered valuable resources to stakeholders including communities, employers, partners, and clients.
Leanne created and directed the start-up human resources company Woodland HR Inc. in Northern Alberta. Her vision, coupled with her ability to build impressive teams, resulted in the development of award-winning HR programs and many other groundbreaking initiatives. Woodland HR Inc. began in 1998 as a result of Leanne’s desire to contribute to the First Nation and Aboriginal communities of Northern Alberta by providing professional career development programs and services. Since then, it has helped thousands of employers, tens of thousands of youths, and many communities achieve their goals. Her strategic foresight attracted the involvement of luminary companies such as Alberta Employment and Immigration; Service Canada; The Tragically Hip, and Job World.
In 2003, Leanne founded and managed Woodland Tires Inc., a start-up company specializing in OTR tire mining supply. She established an internal mining, industry-to-industry, trading program for OTR tires during a period of critical industry shortage. Since its beginning, Woodland Tires Inc. has quickly become a leading global OTR tire supplier to top mining companies.
In addition to a degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Leanne has completed a specialized program at the Society of Human Resource Management as well as a Career Development Program at Concordia University College. She possesses expert skills in demonstrating First Nation community partnerships, promoting engagement, and encouraging relationship building. She is also a member of the Noront Resources First Nations Advisory Board, and the Canadian Institute of Mining.
Leanne is an active mother of two Cree children—something that fuels her efforts to help all First Nations people and communities.