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.