CHIEF Operating Officer

About the Company The Company is a publicly listed gold mining company focused on advancing a high-potential, past-producing gold project in California, USA. Over the past several years, the Company has been executing a turnaround and growth strategy, with the transition from a historical open-pit concept to a 100% underground mining operation serving as a key strategic pillar. The flagship project hosts a global gold resource in the multi-million-ounce range, based on a Mineral Resource Estimate covering only a portion of the known deposits on the property and open on strike and at depth, indicating significant scale and growth potential. The site was among the mines active during the 1800s California Gold Rush, with mining halted in the 1940s under wartime restrictions. It was historically mined at high grades when gold prices were a small fraction of current levels, and an estimated 90% of the resource remains unmined. The Company is evaluating a restart through a modern, low-impact approach focused on safety, environmental stewardship, and community partnership. The proposed mine plan is 100% underground, with minimal surface disturbance across a large area of privately owned and patented land. A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) was completed in 2023, and the Company is advancing toward a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) targeted for completion in 2027, with several thousand meters of drilling planned for Summer/Fall 2026, followed by additional drilling to support a Feasibility Study (FS). Position Overview The Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Project Manager reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is responsible for leading the technical, operational, and project management activities required to advance the Company's flagship gold project from the Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) and Feasibility Study (FS) stages through permitting and into construction readiness. The COO will oversee engineering, environmental, permitting, technical studies, contractor management, budgeting, scheduling, and project execution while ensuring the project is delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget. The role requires close coordination with consultants, regulators, community stakeholders, and the Company's executive team and Board of Directors. This position may be remote for the first six months on a part-time basis, but will transition to full-time, on-site leadership thereafter. If relocation is not immediate, the role may require a minimum 20 days in / 10 days out rotation during the on-site period, with frequent travel to California. Key Responsibilities Project Leadership • Lead all aspects of the Preliminary Feasibility Study and subsequent technical work programs. • Develop and maintain the overall project execution strategy and critical path schedule. • Coordinate engineering, environmental, geological, metallurgical, hydrological, geotechnical, and infrastructure studies. • Ensure integration of technical workstreams into a cohesive mine development plan. Engineering and Technical Oversight • Manage engineering consultants and technical contractors. • Review engineering deliverables for quality, cost, schedule, and technical integrity. • Oversee mine planning, processing, infrastructure, tailings, water management, and site development studies. • Support optimization of project economics through engineering improvements. Exploration and Geological Program Management • Provide strategic oversight of the geologists, including senior exploration and project geology leads, to ensure exploration and resource development activities are aligned with PFS objectives. • Develop and approve drilling programs required for resource conversion, geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrogeological, condemnation, and infill drilling to support mine planning and engineering. • Coordinate geological, engineering, and environmental teams to ensure technical data is delivered on schedule and integrated into the PFS. • Establish priorities for drilling, resource modelling, and data collection based on the project's critical path. • Monitor budgets, schedules, contractor performance, and health and safety for all drilling and exploration activities. • Review geological models, resource updates, and technical recommendations to support engineering design, mine planning, and NI 43-101 reporting. • Ensure timely delivery of geological information required by engineering consultants, permitting teams, and independent Qualified Persons. Permitting and Environmental • Lead permitting strategy in collaboration with environmental consultants and legal advisors. • Coordinate baseline environmental studies and regulatory submissions. • Maintain productive relationships with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. • Ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards. Budget & Cost Control • Develop and manage project budgets and forecasts. • Monitor expenditures against approved budgets. • Identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining project objectives. Schedule and Risk Management • Develop and maintain detailed project schedules. • Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies. • Monitor project milestones and ensure timely execution of critical activities. • Lead regular project review meetings. Contractor and Consultant Management • Select, negotiate, and manage engineering firms, drilling contractors, environmental consultants, laboratories, and specialty service providers. • Monitor consultant performance against scope, budget, and schedule. • Ensure contractual deliverables are achieved. Health, Safety & ESG • Promote a strong safety culture across all project activities. • Ensure contractors comply with applicable health, safety, and environmental standards. • Support the Company's ESG objectives and community engagement initiatives. Corporate Support • Assist the CEO with technical presentations to investors, analysts, and strategic partners. • Support financing due diligence by providing technical information and project updates. • Prepare reports for the Board of Directors. • Support NI 43-101 technical reporting and disclosure requirements. Qualifications • Degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a related discipline. • Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or equivalent preferred. • Minimum 10-15 years of progressive mining project experience. • Demonstrated experience advancing underground mining projects through feasibility, permitting, and construction.