Board of Directors

Executive Chairman

As a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in the metals & mining industry, Mr. J.T. Starzecki has a proven track record of leading strategic initiatives and driving growth on global mining and exploration projects. His expertise lies in developing premier assets, enhancing shareholder value, capital markets development, government affairs, commercial agreements and implementing best practices in corporate governance. J.T. has successfully lead and participated in critical minerals exploration and development projects including Lithium, Potash, Polyhalite, Magnesium and Boron, in projects around the globe.
 
J.T. holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from St. John’s University (MN).

CEO & Executive Director

Mr. Oliver Friesen has spent over fifteen years in the mining and oil & gas sectors working in various technical and corporate roles. He holds a BSc (Hons.) degree in geology from University of British Columbia and a M.Sc. degree focusing on sedimentology from Simon Fraser University. He has been actively involved in mineral exploration since 2010 primarily working within Canada, United States, Australia and Africa.

Non-executive Director

Mr. Ben Hodges is a Fellow of CPA Australia with over 25 years’ experience in both the accounting profession and in industry, including over 15 years’ experience in the extractive industries. He was Financial Director of Guardian Metal from December 2024 until March 2026. He is currently Finance Director at AIM-listed First Development Resources Plc and Chief Financial Officer at AIM-listed Arcontech Group plc, both on a part-time basis.

Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Director at AIM-listed Energy Pathways PLC, as well as Chief Financial Officer of Thor Explorations Ltd, a company with dual listing on AIM and the TSXV. He has extensive experience working with listed growth companies, with a focus on financial and management reporting, corporate governance, IPOs, and corporate finance.

Ben is Chair of the Audit Committee.

Non-executive Director

Mr. Michael Schlumpberger holds a wealth of operational and executive experience in the critical minerals space, including a 20-year tenure at PotashCorp, the world’s largest potash producer prior to its merger to form Nutrien. Following this, Michael acted as Chief Operations Officer of Passport Potash, where he spearheaded the scoping and development of a greenfield potash mine in Arizona, before he joined Highfield Resources as Executive General Manager of Operations to develop five separate potash projects in Spain.

Michael continued to demonstrate a unique capacity for critical mineral advancement in the U.S. as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at ASX-listed American Pacific Borates Ltd, progressing the Fort Cady Boron and Lithium Project in Southern California. Michael currently acts as Non-Executive Director for Rapid Critical Metals, a critical mineral exploration company focused on Australia and North America.

Michael is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee.