Keith has 25 years’ global experience in the mineral exploration industry throughout Africa, Europe, and North and South America. He was educated in Europe, graduating with B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. in geology and has extensive experience in multiple mineral deposit types and commodities. Keith worked with Anglo American Exploration in Europe and North America, leading a number of exploration projects and ultimately, he was appointed project manager for Anglo Coal as the company made its first entry into Canada. In 2007, Keith joined Cardero Resource Corp. as Executive Vice-President, where he played a critical role in advancing the Pampa de Pongo through a positive scoping study and ultimate sale for US$100 million cash. He was formerly President & CEO at Dorato Resources and is currently President & CEO at Latin Metals, focused on project acquisition and exploration in Argentina and Peru.
We have a recognized team of industry-leading professionals with a wealth of experience in exploration, project development, mining operations and corporate finance.
Management
Directors
Advisors
Daniel Marinov M.Sc.
Vice President Operations, Bulgaria
Daniel has 25 years of international experience in the mining and mineral exploration industry including 5 years in an underground production environment. He holds a Master of Science degree in mineral exploration from the University of Mining and Geology of Sofia, Bulgaria. He has extensive experience in precious, base metal and industrial minerals exploration having worked throughout Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia, as well as Central and South America. Daniel was most recently Vice President Exploration at Trevali Mining. In his career, Daniel has undertaken senior geological and managerial roles with Anglo American and Rio Tinto. Prior to Trevali, Daniel was the project exploration manager at Anglo’s Michiquillay porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum deposit in Peru. Daniel serves as Executive Director in each of three subsidiary corporations in Bulgaria.
Dani Palahanova CPA, CGA
Chief Financial Officer, Vancouver
Ms. Dani Palahanova is a CPA, CGA with over 15 years of experience in managing and leading finance and accounting functions of publicly listed Canadian companies operating internationally. Ms. Palahanova has held positions as CFO, Controller and Corporate Secretary for various junior exploration and technology companies in Vancouver. She was an instrumental member of the finance team that supported Asanko Gold Inc. transition from a late stage exploration company to a mid-tier gold producer. Ms. Palahanova holds an Executive MBA degree from Simon Fraser University, Beedie School of Business.
Keith Henderson
Director
Keith has 25 years’ global experience in the mineral exploration industry throughout Africa, Europe, and North and South America. He was educated in Europe, graduating with B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. in geology and has extensive experience in multiple mineral deposit types and commodities. Keith worked with Anglo American Exploration in Europe and North America, leading a number of exploration projects and ultimately, he was appointed project manager for Anglo Coal as the company made its first entry into Canada. In 2007, Keith joined Cardero Resource Corp. as Executive Vice-President, where he played a critical role in advancing the Pampa de Pongo through a positive scoping study and ultimate sale for US$100 million cash. He was formerly President & CEO at Dorato Resources and is currently President & CEO at Latin Metals, focused on project acquisition and exploration in Argentina and Peru.
Dr. Mark Cruise
Independent Director
Dr. Mark Cruise is an exploration and mining professional with in-excess of 25-years global experience having discovered, developed and operated mines in Europe, South America, Canada and Africa. Mark has held a variety of professional and executive positions with Anglo American and various TSX / TSX-V listed exploration and development companies. He co-founded Trevali Mining (TSX: TV) which he built into a large global zinc producer with a +$1B market capitalization. Mark is CEO and director at New Pacific Metals Corp., where he leads the team advancing the recently discovered multi-million ounce Silver Sand deposit in Bolivia. Mark is also Chair of Whitehorse Gold Corp (TSX-V:WHG).
Daniel Marinov
Director
Daniel has 25 years of international experience in the mining and mineral exploration industry including 5 years in an underground production environment. He holds a Master of Science degree in mineral exploration from the University of Mining and Geology of Sofia, Bulgaria. He has extensive experience in precious, base metal and industrial minerals exploration having worked throughout Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia, as well as Central and South America. Daniel was most recently Vice President Exploration at Trevali Mining. In his career, Daniel has undertaken senior geological and managerial roles with Anglo American and Rio Tinto. Prior to Trevali, Daniel was the project exploration manager at Anglo’s Michiquillay porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum deposit in Peru. Daniel serves as Executive Director in each of three subsidiary corporations in Bulgaria.
Gerrie van der Westhuizen
DIRECTOR
Gerrie van der Westhuizen is VP Finance and Assistant Corporate Secretary of Artemis Gold Inc. ("Artemis") and has been appointed CFO of Artemis effective January 1, 2023. Mr. Westhuizen has more than 20 years' experience in the mining industry. During this time, Mr. Van der Westhuizen held progressively senior positions in dual-listed resource companies operating in Africa and North America. He has played a key role in those organizations' debt and equity financings and M&A activities, while leading initiatives on financial reporting, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, risk management, treasury management, tax planning, as well as commercial negotiations. Prior to joining Artemis, Mr. Van der Westhuizen served as Vice President Finance for Galiano Gold Inc., which constructed and operated the Asanko Gold Mine. Mr. Van der Westhuizen is a Chartered Accountant and began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers where he was a manager in their mining group. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Accountancy degree.
Michelle Roth
Independent Director
Ms. Roth is an entrepreneur and business leader who founded Roth Investor Relations in 1987. She successfully expanded this global consulting business through multiple investment cycles by formulating comprehensive shareholder engagement solutions for a global client base. Mining clients ranged from producers to developers and explorers with assets in North America, Australia, Africa, Europe and South America. Commodities included gold, silver, platinum, copper, diamond, nickel, and ferrochrome. Ms. Roth earned an MBA in Finance from Fordham University and a BA (Hons) in Political Science from the University at Albany. She will Chair Velocity’s Audit Committee as well as serving on the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee.
Ms. Roth currently serves as Chairperson of Maple Gold Mines (TSX.V: MGM) and Interim Non-Executive Chair of Ardiden Limited (ASX: ADV). She also acts as a strategic advisor to Brooks & Nelson, LLC. Previously, she was a strategic advisor to Nova Royalty Corporation (TSXV:NOVR), as well as to a privately held cell tower infrastructure/ IT managed services company and a cybersecurity solutions provider, where she advised both on growth opportunities.
In the public sector, Ms. Roth served as Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Planning Board Chairperson of Manalapan Township, New Jersey. She has also held appointed positions on other governmental boards. During her service, she gained experience with budgeting, succession planning, union negotiations, public/private partnerships and the setting and implementing of land use policy.
Mike Hoffman
Advisor
Mike is an experienced mining executive with over 35 years of practice in the mining industry including engineering, mine operations, corporate development, contracting, consulting, projects and construction. He has experience in a number of commodities including coal, precious metals, base metals and potash. Mike has held various engineering and mine operating positions in northern Canada and South America. Mike is currently Chair and a director of 1911 Gold and a director of Fury Gold, and is a former director of Trevali Mining and Trigon Metals. Mike holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Mining Engineering from Queen’s University and is a Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Steven Dean
Advisor
Steven Dean is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, a Member of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia. He has extensive experience internationally in mining, including as President of Teck Cominco Limited (now Teck Resources Ltd.). Prior to joining Teck, Mr. Dean was a founding member of management of the Normandy Poseidon Group, (which became Normandy Mining) a co-founder of PacMin Mining Corporation which became a subsidiary of Teck Corporation in 1999. He was also a co-founder and former Chairman of Amerigo Resources Ltd. More recently, Mr. Dean was Chairman, CEO and founder of Atlantic Gold Corporation, focused on gold exploration, development and production in Nova Scotia, which was sold to St. Barbara Limited in 2019 for $802 million after building its Moose River Consolidated Mine on time and on budget and operating at the lowest decile cost profile in the gold sector.
Mr. Dean is a recipient of the Viola R. MacMillan Award from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) for individuals demonstrating leadership in management and financing for the exploration and development of mineral resources. He is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Artemis Gold Inc. (TSX-V: ARTG), Chairman of Oceanic Iron Ore Corp. (TSX-V: FEO) and Director of St Barbara Limited (ASX: SBM).