Management
Company > Management
Leadership Team
Learn more about each individual by clicking on their profiles below.
Gordon Neal
President, CEO & Director
Mr. Neal has extensive experience in the metals and mining sector, as well as in capital market, corporate governance, corporate finance and investor relations. Most recently he served as CEO & Director of Tincorp Metals, President of New Pacific Metals Corp, VP Corporate Development at Silvercorp Metals Inc., and VP Corporate Development at Mag Silver Corp. Since 2004, Mr. Neal has raised over $500M for various resource companies.
Marcelo Awad
Executive Director, Chile
Mr. Awad has a long and distinguished career in the mining industry 18 years with Codelco, most recently as Executive Vice President 16 years with Antofagasta Minerals S.A., the Mining Division of Antofagasta Plc, including 8 years as CEO from 2004 to 2012, a period of significant growth for Antofagasta. In the 2011 Harvard Business Review, Mr. Awad was ranked as the number one CEO in Chile, 18th in Latin America and 87th in the world.
Krzysztof Napierała
VP Business Development
Mr. Napierala is a professional with 12 years of experience in mining and manufacturing industries. He is a driven executive with a strong background in business development, exploration, project management, and the management and restructuring of mining operations. His career is highlighted by over ten years with the KGHM Group, where he started as an associate supporting the company’s business development activities and new acquisitions.
John Drobe
Chief Geologist
Mr. Drobe is a geologist with over 30 years experience specializing in porphyry copper-gold, epithermal and skarn deposits throughout the Americas. Mr. Drobe has a deep experience with organizing and managing exploration campaigns, particularly in South America, which he has participated in the exploration and development of projects in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile.
Daniel MacNeil
Technical Advisor
Mr. MacNeil is an Economic Geologist specializing in the Precious and Base Metals sectors, with over 20 years of experience from continental-scale project generation to in-mine resource expansion in a wide variety of geological settings in the Americas, Europe, Eastern Europe and the Near East. His expertise includes project evaluation, target and opportunity identification, exploration strategy, district entry strategy, business development, strategic evaluation of geologic terranes and execution of target testing. Mr. MacNeil is the Founder of Vector Geological Solutions.
Marla Ritchie
Corporate Secretary
Ms. Ritchie brings over 25 years experience in public markets working as an Administrator and Corporate Secretary specializing in resource based exploration companies. Currently, she is also the corporate secretary for several companies, including International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. and Trevali Mining Corporation.
Board of Directors & Advisory
Learn more about each individual by clicking on their profiles below.
Henk van Alphen
Chairman
Mr. van Alphen founded Wealth Minerals in 2005. With more than 30 years of experience in the mining industry, he has been a key player in companies such as Corriente Resources, Cardero Resources, Trevali Mining, Balmoral Resources, and International Tower Hill. Over $1B was raised in various financial transactions via Mr. van Alphen’s involvement.
Tim McCutcheon
Director
Mr. McCutcheon is a capital markets professional and corporate manager with over 20 years’ business experience. In 2006 he was a founder of DBM Capital Partners, a boutique mining resource merchant bank with AUM of $130M and $100M completed M&A transactions. Mr. McCutcheon has been a director/CEO of several public Emerging Market natural resource companies with assets in Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Slovakia, Mali and Ghana.
Robert Kopple
Director
Robert C. Kopple is an experienced investor, businessman and lawyer. He is involved in a broad range of corporate financing activities with public companies. Mr. Kopple is a senior partner in a law firm based in Los Angeles specializing in estate planning, tax law and business transactions. His investments include diverse interests in real estate and in several operating companies in mining, healthcare and technology. Mr. Kopple is a significant investor in World Copper.
Keith Henderson
Director
Mr. Henderson 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. 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.
Jonathan Lotz
Director
Mr. Lotz is a member of the Bars of British Columbia & New York and is a founding partner at the firm Lotz & Company, which has a significant mining and securities law practice. Previously Mr. Lotz was a partner of Heenan Blaikie LLP, where he headed the Vancouver mining and securities law practice group.
Joe Phillips
Advisor
Mr. Phillips, a seasoned mining executive, has a distinguished track record in driving revenue and growth for mining companies globally. With 14 successful projects across 11 jurisdictions, he's known for his role at Minera Tres Valles in Chile, where he revamped its copper operation. His leadership spans key positions at firms like Pan American Silver and Coeur Mining, showcasing expertise in startups, turnarounds, and optimization. Armed with a degree from the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and graduate studies from the University of South Florida, Mr. Phillips excels in creating profitable ventures in diverse landscapes.
Derek White
Advisor
Bringing over three decades of expertise in mining and metals, Mr. White currently leads as President and CEO at Ascot Resources Ltd. Prior roles include Principal at Traxys Capital Partners LLP and President/CEO of KGHM International Ltd. Notable achievements include overseeing the development of significant projects like the Carlota copper oxide mine and the Sierra Gorda mine. Mr. White holds a Geological Engineering degree from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Accountant.
