About
Dr Robin Harmer, MSc, PhD, Advisor
Dr. Robin Harmer, more commonly known as "Jock," holds an MSc in geology from the University of Natal and a Ph.D. in geochemistry from the University of Cape Town, both in South Africa. He is a Fellow of the SEG and Life Fellow of the GSSA; Professor Emeritus in the Geology Department, at Rhodes University; and a registered professional scientist with SACNASP. He is the 2021 recipient of the GSSA's Des Pretorius Medal, awarded for work in economic geology. Jock has been continuously involved in the Rare Earth market and sector since late 2008. He has worked in virtually all aspects of the industry, including exploration, Rare Earth mineralogy extraction strategies, advising on REE market conditions, and reviewing technologies to reduce the environmental impact, especially of extraction processes and technologies.
In 2009, Jock co-founded and was CEO of Rare Earth International, which was acquired by Southern Crown Resources (ASX), where as Managing Director he was responsible for the rights acquisition, exploration and evaluation of the Nkombwa Hill and Xiluvo RE projects. Later, he held the position of the Technical Director of Galileo Resources, managed their option on the Glenover Rare Earth project and carried on as an ad hoc advisor on the deposit until its successful sale in 2021. In addition, Jock worked on two Rare Earth deposits in Greenland for Nuna Minerals and the Wigu Hill deposit in Tanzania for Montero Minerals.
Robert W. Schafer, Advisor – Rare Earth Sources Due Diligence
Robert W. Schafer is a Registered Professional Geologist with over thirty years of international experience identifying, evaluating and structuring transactions for mineral deposits globally having worked in more than 70 countries. He is a Past President of the PDAC and a past president of the Canadian Institute for Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). He the President of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) in the USA. Mr. Schafer is also a past member of the Board of Directors for both the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame and National Mining Hall of Fame in the USA. Bob is the recipient of the William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal from AIME and the Daniel C. Jackling Award from SME for career achievements. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Geology at Miami University (Ohio); completed course work and research toward a Ph.D. in Geology; and earned a second Master’s degree in Mineral Economics at the University of Arizona. In addition, he completed the Executive Business Program at Stanford University. Bob is a is a Certified Corporate Director (ICD.D), a Fellow of the CIM and the Society of Economic Geologists, and a Registered Professional Geologist in the States of Wyoming and Utah.
Mike Fillipoff, Advisor - Project Management
Mike is a chemical engineer with over 35 years of experience in senior management roles including overall responsibility for operations, production, personnel, safety, environment, scheduling and cost management in refineries, oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining and electric power generation. Project budgets have ranged in size from US$100 million to US$1 billion. Mike has held management positions with firms such as Ausenco, TC Energy, CCR Technologies, Nova, Saudi Aramco and Celanese for whom he worked in many countries including Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea, Russia and China. Mike is a Registered Professional Engineer in British Columbia and Alberta and he completed the Senior Executives Program at the MIT Sloan School of Management as well as the MIT Executive Program in Financial Management. Mike is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Project Management Institute, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers and Licensing Executive Society.
John Treleaven, Advisor – Government Liaison
John worked in the Canadian Foreign Service for over 30 years as Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines and as Trade Commissioner serving the Canadian business community in Sao Paulo, San Juan, London, Puerto Rico, San Jose, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Manila and Ottawa. In Ottawa he served in a variety of senior positions with a focus on Asia, the policy direction of the Trade Commission Service and on assignment to the Privy Council Office. In 2000, he joined the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (“STEP”) as President and CEO. STEP is a public/private partnership providing international trade services to over 250 Canadian exporting companies. John continues to deliver international business solutions to a range of private and public sector clients across Canada and abroad. He is a director of a number of internationally focused Canadian organizations including the Forum for International Trade Training, The Hong Kong – Canada Business Association and he is Chair of the Board of Mercy Ships Canada which uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services in the world's poorest nations. John has received numerous awards including an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the University of Baguio in the Philippines, The Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.