Historic Mine Panel

Rick has more than 40 years of experience in the natural resource sector. Before joining Contango Ore in January 2020, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Trilogy Metals, who are currently developing the high- grade Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects located in the Ambler Mining District of Alaska. Trilogy is a company which was created in 2012 as a spin-out from NOVAGOLD, a well-known company he founded over 20 years ago. NOVAGOLD is currently finalizing permits for the 40 million ounce Donlin Gold Project in Southwest Alaska with partner Barrick Gold, the world’s largest gold company. Previous to his role as Founder, President, and CEO of NOVAGOLD, he held the position of Vice President of Exploration for Placer Dome Inc. from 1990 to 1997. In addition to his international exploration perspective, Rick brings years of working experience in and knowledge of Alaska to Contango. Rick has managed projects from grassroots discovery through to advanced feasibility, production and closure. He has played a key role in setting up several other corporate entities including: Alexco - where he remains a Director - which is rejuvenating the Keno Hill Silver District in the Yukon; Tintina Resource (now Sandfire Resources America), which discovered and is now completing a feasibility study + permitting the high grade Black Butte copper project in Montana; and SolidusGold, where he is Chairman. Rick holds a Candidature degree in Science from the Université de Louvain, Belgium, and a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Arizona. He received the Thayer Lindsley award in 2009 for his role in the Donlin Gold discovery and the Colin Spence Award in 2016 for his role in the Bornite Discovery.

Mr. Briggs has a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Durham, England. He held a senior exploration position with Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited, during which time he established the company’s regional exploration office for the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Starting in the early 1980’s, Mr. Briggs held senior management positions with Manitoba Mineral Resources Ltd. (MMR) ultimately serving as president from 1993-1995. While at MMR, Mr. Briggs managed the company’s 27% interest in the Trout Lake Joint Venture and annually negotiated the sale of MMR’s share of production from the 2,500 ton per day Trout Lake Mine resulting in annual revenues of some $18 million. He also represented MMR on the Board of Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada (Tanco), North America’s only tantalum producer.

Mr. Usenmez is a Geological Engineer and a mining entrepreneur with over 20 years of global experience and has worked in various technical and leadership roles. After working with various VMS deposits and discoveries while working with Inco, Vale and Amec, he managed a drilling company, where the company grew during the downturn. He worked in numerous VMS deposits in Canada, such as Duck Pond NFLD, Bathurst in New Brunswick, and in Northern Manitoba, mainly in base metals, such as Zinc. He co-owns Atom Bits, a rapidly growing diamond drilling bit manufacturer in Canada. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the PDAC and is the Co-Chair of Public Affairs Committee.