Jeff has 18 years of experience as an economic geologist focusing on prospect generation, royalty evaluation, and project development. He started his career with Midway Gold Corp. and continued work at the Spring Valley deposit with the Midway-Barrick Gold Corporation JV through 2009. He subsequently researched gold systems at the Colorado School of Mines and later added seven years of experience in senior roles with companies such as Full Metal Minerals, Esperanza Silver, Revolution Resources, and Osisko Mining before joining EMX Royalty Corp. (EMX) in 2014. As a Senior Geologist at EMX he helped develop world-class portfolios in multiple jurisdictions for gold, copper, base metal, and battery metal assets. In addition to prospect generation, Jeffrey has extensive experience in royalty generation and evaluation, strategic investments, and value creation throughout the broader industry of economic geology. As the Manager of Project Marketing at EMX, Jeff developed an excellent reputation within an extensive network of decision makers world-wide. In 2024, Jeff was appointed to be the interm CEO of Moneghetti Minerals, a company focused on discovering world-class precious metal deposits in Nevada.
Mike has over 25 years of academic, government and industry experience in various aspects of mineral exploration and ore deposit study. He has worked in several world-class base metal districts, including the Bingham Canyon Cu-Mo-Au porphyry system in Utah, sediment-hosted stratiform Cu deposits, and the Balmat-Edwards Pb-Zn district in New York. He has experience in district and prospect-scale evaluations, the design and management of exploration programs, and has held management positions and served as Exploration Manager for several projects. Mike has expertise in porphyry and related deposits, various types of sediment-hosted base metal deposits, iron oxide-copper-gold deposits, industrial minerals, and geothermal systems. He currently works as a consulting geologist while nearing the completion of his PhD studies at the Colorado School of Mines, where is conducting research on the distal vectors of porphyry copper deposits hosted in carbonate rocks at the Bingham Canyon mine and other Utah porphyries.
Chad Deering is a geochemist/petrologist with expertise in magmatic ore systems, particularly Ni–Cu–PGE-bearing ultramafic complexes. He holds a PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), with specialization in igneous petrology, geochemistry, and volcanology, and an MSc from Michigan State University focused on igneous petrology and geochemistry.
His research integrates petrology, geochemistry, and field-based analysis to quantify the formation, evolution, and metal endowment of magmatic systems. This includes work on the geochemical signatures of Ni–Cu–PGE mineralization, magma reservoir dynamics, and the transport of magmatic volatiles and fluids—processes that directly control ore formation and preservation. His work has been published in leading journals including Nature, Science, Geology, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, and American Mineralogist.
In addition to his research, Chad has extensive field experience in Upper Michigan, including detailed geologic mapping associated with the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EMRI) projects. This work has provided direct insight into the structural, stratigraphic, and magmatic controls on mineralization in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan.
Phil has over 20 years of industry experience as an exploration geologist/geochemist. He is also a principal geologist for Vesterheim Geoscience PLC. Previous positions include: project advisor for Pulsar Helium, Inc., and Senior Geologist for Duluth Metals Limited. Phil earned his BSc. (Geology) from the University of Minnesota, Duluth; MSc. (Earth Science) from Dartmouth College, and PhD. (Geology) from the University of Minnesota. Research specialties include: glacial geology/geochemistry, field hydrogeology, and aqueous geochemistry.
Taghi Sherizadeh is a geomechanics specialist with expertise in numerical simulation of complex subsurface environments, poromechanics, and integrated field and laboratory characterization. His work spans oil and gas, mining, and civil engineering applications, where he applies advanced modeling and monitoring techniques to evaluate rock behavior, fluid interactions, and system-scale performance in challenging geologic settings.
He has conducted research and technical studies for both private industry and government agencies, supporting high-impact projects that require rigorous geomechanical analysis and innovative problem-solving. Prior to his current roles, Taghi served as a consultant with Golder Associates, where he contributed to multidisciplinary projects involving subsurface risk, infrastructure stability, and resource development.
As Co-Founder of OptiRock Group, Taghi plays a key role in advancing discrete fracture network (DFN) modeling and next-generation geomechanical workflows. His work also includes hydrogen-focused research supported by ARPA-E, reflecting a broader commitment to applying geoscience expertise to emerging energy systems and the evolving demands of the energy transition.
Sam Nowak serves as President of Critical Metals Consulting, where he oversees day-to-day operations and leads the company’s strategic direction in advancing geologic and geomechanical solutions for the mining and energy sectors. With a background in structural geology and mining engineering, he brings deep technical expertise in discrete fracture network (DFN) modeling, rock mechanics, and subsurface characterization, bridging advanced research with practical field applications.
Prior to his current role, Sam contributed to a range of exploration and mining geology projects, including work with Empire State Mines, where he supported resource development through applied structural and geomechanical analysis. He has also conducted private and government-funded research focused on geomechanics and ultramafic systems, strengthening the integration of fundamental science with industry-driven outcomes.
As Co-Founder of OptiRock Group, Sam has been instrumental in developing innovative approaches to fracture modeling and geologic characterization. His work extends into emerging energy technologies, including hydrogen-focused research supported by ARPA-E, reflecting a commitment to positioning geoscience at the forefront of the energy transition.
Liz is a sedimentary geologist and project manager with experience in oil and gas basin analysis, geophysical interpretation, and drilling operations. A former ExxonMobil Exploration and Operations geologist, Liz has exposure to global oil and gas operations and has supported exploration and development in several key strategic basins. She has expertise in prospect generation and maturation, evaluating broad-scale play opportunities, and planning and executing complex wells with a focus on safety and efficiency. Liz has led multi-million-dollar projects acquiring data for greenfield exploration and infrastructure development, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and monitoring performance metrics to build efficiencies and execute project objectives. She leverages her industry experience to identify avenues for optimization, maximize productivity and profitability, and drive strategic business results.
Evan has extensive field experience as a geologist/geophysicist throughout the Duluth Complex and greenstone belt of northeastern, Minnesota. He was the lead geophysicist for Duluth Metals Limited. Evan earned a BSc. (geology) and MSc. in geophysics from the University of Minnesota, Institute of Rock Magnetism.
Bob has over 15 years of industry + academic research experience in magmatic- and hydrothermal-related critical metals deposits. As a senior exploration geologist for Lundin Mining he helped discover the Eagle East Ni-Cu-Co-PGE deposit. Bob has extensive field/drilling experience across North America ranging from: Nunavut, Alaska, Upper Michigan, and Northeastern Minnesota. He specializes in geochemistry, with his PhD (Michigan Technological University) focusing on identifying and quantifying prospective compositional markers of magmatic Ni-Cu-Co-PGE deposit host rocks analogous to the Eagle-Eagle East and Tamarack deposits. He also holds a M.Sc. (Geochemistry; Colorado School of Mines), and a B.A. (Geology; The College of Wooster).
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