Chairman
Mr. Watkins is an international mining executive with over 40 years experience in exploration and development, acquisitions and mergers, and mining operations. During the early part of his career, Mr. Watkins worked with Newmont Mining and Noranda as an exploration geologist in various parts of the world, including Australia, Mexico, Ecuador, and Canada. Mr. Watkins joined Falconbridge Copper Ltd. as an Exploration Geologist in 1977 and became Chief Geologist responsible for exploration in Quebec and mine operations at Lake Dufault and Opemiska in 1980. Mr. Watkins was appointed Vice President, Exploration in 1986 and rose to the position of President of Minnova Inc., the successor company to Falconbridge Copper, in 1991. Mr. Watkins was President of Cyprus Exploration and Development Corporation and Senior Vice President, Exploration for Cyprus Amax Minerals Company for six years prior to joining Atna in 1999. Mr. Watkins served as President and CEO of Atna Resources from 1999 to 2008, and is now Chairman of the Company. He graduated with a M.Sc. degree in Geology from Carleton University in Ottawa in 1970 and a B.A. in Geology from Queen's University at Kingston in 1967.
CEO, President and Director
Mr. Hesketh's primary goal is to increase the value of Atna to its shareholders by focusing on developing positive cash flow from operations and longer term by growing the Company into a low cost mid tier gold producer. This will be accomplished by initially capitalizing on existing assets and longer term through the development of advance stage gold exploration properties or acquisition of operating sites. Mr. Hesketh has a diverse career in the mining industry, with over 30 years in positions covering mining finance, corporate business development, mine operations, mine engineering and consulting with companies including NM Rothschild & Sons (Denver) Inc., Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, Pincock, Allen & Holt, Inc., and Dresser Industries. Prior to Mr. Hesketh's current role, he was President and CEO of Canyon Resources Corporation and sat as a Director on the board of Atna Resources Ltd.Director
Glen Dickson obtained his B.Sc. (Advanced) degree in Geology in 1974 and has been involved in mineral exploration continuously since then with a variety of Canadian major and junior exploration companies. As Senior Geologist with Asamera Minerals Inc. from 1987 to 1992, he was responsible for the discovery of two large developing gold projects in northern Canada. In 1993, he successfully acquired the projects for Cumberland Resources Ltd. and joined that Company as President and Chief Executive Officer until 2002. He was instrumental in raising approximately $30 million for Cumberland and advancing the projects to the beginning of feasibility.
Mr. Dickson is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Gold-Ore Resources Ltd. a junior exploration company focusing on early stage precious metal projects in Central America.
Director
Mr. Parker was appointed a Director of the Canyon Resurces Corp. in October 2002 and joins Atna's board through the merger with Canyon. Mr. Parker currently serves as President and CEO of Gammill Inc, a manufacturing company. From 1998 to 2002, he served as President and CEO of Apollo Gold Inc. From 1986 to 1998, he held several positions with Homestake Mining Company and its subsidiaries including Vice President of Homestake Mining Company, President of Homestake Canada, Inc., President of Prime Resources Group, Inc. and General Manager of the McLaughlin Mine.Director
Mr. Fagin joined Atna through the merger with Canyon Resources Corp. He was a Director of Canyon from June 2000 to March 2008 and was the Chariman of Canyon's Board from August 2007 to March 2008. From May 1992 to May 1996, Mr. Fagin served as Chairman and CEO of Golden Star Resources Ltd. and from then to January 1998 as non-executive Chairman of Golden Star Resources Ltd. From July 1997 to February 2000, he also served as Chairman and CEO of Western Exploration and Development Ltd., a privately held exploration company, and since February 2000, he has served as a consultant and corporate director. Mr. Fagin previously served as President and Director of both Homestake Mining Company and Rosario Resources Corporation, and a Vice President of AMAX Inc. He currently serves as a Director of Pacific Rim Mining Company and Golden Star Resources Ltd., publicly held mining companies, as well as a Director or Trustee for the public mutual funds managed by T. Rowe Price.Director
Mr. Herald joined Atna's Board of Directors in August 2009. He has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry and has been President & CEO and a Director of Solitario Exploration and Royalty Corporation since 1992. Mr. Herald also serves as Chairman of the Denver Gold Group, a non-profit mining industry association recognized for organizing the preeminent North American, European and Asian gold precious metal forums for institutional investors. He was instrumental in discovering the 1.5 million ounce high-grade Buckhorn Mountain Gold deposit for Crown Resources and its subsequent sale to Kinross Gold for approximately $240 million in 2006. Chris was also responsible for the initial exploration successes of the 1.5 million ounce Kettle River open pit and underground deposits. During his career, he has held various positions in Anaconda Minerals, Echo Bay Mines and Crown Resources.