Mr. Lee specializes in mining M&A and has raised over $150 million through the TSX and TSX Venture Exchange for junior companies since 2009. Lee identified, negotiated and financed Lynn Lake nickel acquisition in 2009, Ulaan Ovoo coal in 2010, Wellgreen nickel-pgm in 2011, Shakespeare nickel-pgm in 2012, Pulacayo silver in 2015, Gibellini vanadium in 2017, Bisoni vanadium in 2020, and Minago nickel-pgm in 2021. Mr. Lee is a CFA charterholder and graduated from Rice University with bachelor’s degrees in Economics and in Engineering (honor).

Robert Van Drunen, who is based in Thompson, Manitoba, has over 30 years of experience with Vale and Inco. He started his mining career with Inco in 1990 and progressed through his career with increasing levels of responsibility, including Mine Manager and most recently Senior Project Manager of the Thompson Operation. In the latter role, he led multi-disciplinary teams in all aspects of mining, including operations (both underground and open pit), maintenance, exploration, procurement, supply chain management, and contract management.

Mr. Van Drunen holds a Masters Certificate in Project Management from York University. He specializes in process improvement and cost control, as well as an award winning track record for zero-harm safety culture.

Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mr. Espell is a highly regarded specialist in U.S. federal and Nevada state mine permitting, with over 30 years of experience in corporate environmental management, permitting in conformance with applicable regulatory and performance standards, mine waste management, reclamation, and closure planning.

Prior to joining Silver Elephant Mining Corp, Mr. Espell was the corporate environmental director of McEwen Mining Inc. Within 18 months from the time he joined McEwen Mining, Mr. Espell led his team to successfully obtain the Gold Bar project’s environmental impact statement (EIS) approval from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Battle Mountain District office in November, 2017.

Prior to his time with McEwen Mining, Mr. Espell was a principal consultant at SRK Consulting and vice-president of environment for Gibellini’s prior operator, where he lead efforts in the preparation of Gibellini’s baseline studies and plan of operation.

Mr. Espell’s wealth of experience includes being an environmental management specialist at the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, as well as working for 17 years in positions of increasing responsibility at Barrick Gold Corp., from being environmental superintendent, environmental manager of Barrick Goldstrike, regional environmental director — Australia Pacific, and corporate environmental director.

Papers by Ron Espell
July 2020, Streamlining Mine Permitting Under Secretarial Order 3355
A Summary of Implementing the S.O. 3355 Process for Permitting A New Mine in Nevada

Mr. Yau is an accomplished financial executive with diverse merger and acquisition experience in the mining sector complemented with strong international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and public company compliance knowledge. Mr. Yau previously held senior financial positions with several Toronto Stock Exchange- and TSX Venture Exchange-listed companies, most recently as executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Orea Mining Corp.

Mr. Yau, CPA, CGA, holds a bachelor of commerce and business administration degree from the University of British Columbia and has been in accounting and finance roles with publicly listed companies since 2006.