Company

Mr. Rui Feng is a successful entrepreneur, explorer, and mine builder with over 25 years of global mining industry experience. His passion for discovery has led him to explore and acquire mineral opportunities worldwide. He was integral in discovering Jinshan Gold’s CSH Gold Mine in China in 2002, which was acquired by China Gold International.  Dr. Feng founded Silvercorp Metals in 2003 by acquiring early-stage properties in China. Through discovery and development, Silvercorp has become one of the most profitable Canadian mining companies, with multiple mines in China.  As CEO of New Pacific Metals, Dr. Feng led the company to Bolivia in 2017 and acquired the Silver Sand Project, which has recently led to a significant discovery.

In addition to delivering value to employees and shareholders through discovery and development, Dr. Feng also believes a sustainable operation requires innovation and more effective management.  He pioneered a digital information management tool for Silvercorp’s mines, which has contributed to improved organizational performance and operational profitability.

Dr. Feng obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Geology in China, his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada in 1992, and received a Post-Doctorial fellowship from the National Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada in 1992.  Dr. Feng supports many community and social causes through contributions made personally and through the actions of the companies he leads.

Dr. Mark Cruise is an exploration and mining professional with over 25 years of global experience in exploration and mining. During his career, Mark has discovered, developed or operated mines in Europe, South America, Canada and Africa.  Most recently Mark founded Trevali Mining where he grew the Company from an initial discovery to a global top-ten zinc producer.  Mark has held a variety of professional and executive positions with Anglo American and a number of TSX and TSX-V listed exploration and development companies. Mark holds a Bachelor of Geology and a Doctorate of Geology from the University of Dublin, Trinity College. He is a professional member of the Institute of Geologists of Ireland and the European Federation of Geologists.

Mark provides oversight to the Canadian leadership team in addition to the Bolivian development and exploration teams as the Company continues to de-risk and advance the Silver Sand Project and grow its project pipeline.

Mr. Kong most recently served as a partner of Ernst & Young from 2005 to 2010. He previously served as a partner of Ellis Foster, Chartered Professional Accountants of Vancouver, British Columbia from 1982 to 2004.  His professional practice focused on serving Canadian public companies with businesses in China and Chinese public companies listed on the North American stock exchanges. Currently, Mr. Kong is a director of Silvercorp Metals Inc., GoldMining Inc., and Uranium Energy Corp.

The Honourable Jack Austin has over 40 years of experience in law, business, public service and politics. Mr. Austin has had a diverse career and has expertise in cross-cultural communications and business development. He has been a barrister and solicitor in the Province of British Columbia since 1958, practiced law for over 20 years and served as legal counsel to various corporations.

Mr. Austin served as a senator in the Senate of Canada, representing British Columbia from August 1975 to March 2007. He also served in the Cabinets of each of Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Martin.

Since May 2008, Mr. Austin has served as a director and Chairman of New Pacific. Mr. Austin was a director and Chairman of Naikun Wind Energy Group Inc., a director of Allied Pacific Properties & Hotels Inc., Act 360 Solutions Ltd. and China Education Resources Inc., and director and President of Austpro Energy Corporation. Each of these companies was listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. 

Mr. Austin obtained a degree in Economics (B.A.) in 1954 and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 1955 from the University of British Columbia, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in 1957 from the Harvard Law School in International Trade Law.

Greg Hawkins has been involved in the mining exploration and investment industry since 1969. He has been variously responsible for the identification and/or delineation of 10 mineral deposits (Gilt Edge, Andacolla, Kubi Village, Tabakoto, Twangiza, Namoya, Skukum Creek, Goddell Gulley, Kobada and Harper Creek) in Canada, USA, Chile, Ghana, Mali and Zaire (DRC). In acting as Founding Project Consultant and/or Founding Director of seven public and private exploration / development ventures (Brohm Mining Inc., Dayton Mining Inc., Nevsun Resources Ltd., Banro Resource Corp., Tagish Lake Gold Corp., African Gold Group Inc. and Yellowhead Mining Inc.) he has participated in or been responsible for the definition of at least one reserve in every case with four cases that have resulted in production in the USA, Chile, Ghana and Mali. He has lived in Canada, Nigeria and Ghana while pursuing his career.

In 1990 Mr. Hawkins started CME, an international full service consultancy and contracting network, which included Spectral International Geophysics, Eagle Drilling and ATS Inc. The Network has served over 100 clients in 17 countries and has employed over 3000 people. He is the author and presenter of a number of papers on exploration, exploration philosophy and mineral economics since 1979. In 2004, he was awarded the Frank Woodside Past Presidents Award by the British Columbia and Yukon Chamber of Mines in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the mining industry. He holds a BSc in Geology from the University of Alberta and an MSc in Mineral Economics from McGill University.

Mr. Wafforn is a mining engineer who brings over 35 years of experience in the mining industry. He has held positions at Pan American Silver since early 2004 and is currently Senior Vice President, Technical Services and Process Optimization. In this capacity he is involved in the technical aspects of the feasibility, development and successful operation of Pan American Silver’s mines in addition to leading the safety department. Prior to joining Pan American Silver, Mr. Wafforn spent 15 years working with Barrick Gold Corporate and its predecessor Homestake at different underground mines and was Manager of Mine Engineering for Barrick 's global operations. He holds a B.Sc Mining Honours from Camborne School of Mines in England and is registered as a P.Eng in British Columbia.

Dr. Megaw has a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Arizona and over 35 years of relevant experience focused on silver and gold exploration. He has been instrumental in a number of mineral discoveries including MAG Silver's Juanicipio and Cinco de Mayo properties, Excellon Resources' Platosa mine, and new ore bodies at existing mines. He is the author of numerous scientific publications on ore deposits and is a frequent speaker at academic and international exploration conferences. Dr. Megaw was awarded the 2017 Thayer Lindsley Award for the 2003 discovery of the Juanicipio silver deposit in the Fresnillo District, Mexico.