Management Team

Jim Bannantine, President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bannantine joined Aura Minerals in October 2011. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Bannantine served as CEO of Intercap Energy Systems, a provider of systems and software to electric utilities and large commercial, campus and government customers. From 2005 to early 2010, Mr. Bannantine was a partner in Atlantic Capital Group and served as Managing Partner of their private equity activities, responsible for origination, investment due diligence, negotiation of transactions, investment pricing and structuring and fund raising. Between 2001 and 2005, Mr. Bannantine founded Acumen Capital, LLC, a private equity firm. From 2001 through 2002 Mr. Bannantine led and then sold a start-up company, Dorsal Networks, to Corvis Corporation (NASDAQ: CORV). Corvis subsequently became Broadwing Corporation (NASDAQ: BWNG), a $900 million telecom company, where Mr. Bannantine served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2003 through 2005. Mr. Bannantine worked with Enron Corporation for ten years, from 1990 to 2000, holding several top management positions, including six years in Brazil, most notably as Chief Executive Officer for Enron South America, the power and pipeline division of Enron with assets of $3.5 billion and 4,500 employees. Prior to Enron, Mr. Bannantine served in the United States Army as Contracting Officer for the Corp of Engineers in Honduras, and as an Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance at the US Military Academy. Mr. Bannantine received an MBA from the Wharton School with Distinction and is a West Point Distinguished Graduate. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and is board member of several private companies, organizations and charities.
Rory Taylor, CA (SA), Chief Financial Officer Mr. Taylor joined Aura Minerals in March 2012. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Taylor was Vice President, Finance, Mining Operations at Endeavour Mining Corporation for a year and prior thereto, he was Vice President, Finance at Crew Gold Corporation for 6 years. These companies owned and operated gold mines and various exploration properties in West Africa, Greenland and the Philippines and he was responsible for all aspects of financial management within the organizations. He has also held senior finance roles in companies in the telecommunications sector and in the assurance practices of Ernst and Young in Vancouver and South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town and is a South African qualified Chartered Accountant.
Bruce Butcher, P. Eng, Vice President, Technical Services Mr. Butcher joined Aura Minerals in September 2010 as Vice President Technical Services, bringing with him over 25 years of mine engineering, operating and project experience from both North and South America. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Butcher was Director, Mine Engineering for Teck Resources Ltd., responsible for the open pit and underground mine design for all corporate projects and operational support. Mr. Butcher began his career working for Quintette Coal Ltd, and later at the Bullmoose mine for Teck as a Production Engineer. After that he moved to the Afton project as a Sr. Mine Engineer and eventually joined Teck’s Vancouver office. Mr. Butcher was involved with the Antamina project in Peru, where he was active in the start-up, commissioning and operation of the mine for 4 years. He returned from Peru to Teck’s Head office where he was Manager, Mine Engineering, before becoming Director, Mine Engineering in 2008. In addition to engineering and operational activities, he has served as a Technical Committee member for Hemlo’s underground operations, Antamina, and more recently for the Galore Creek JV. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mining Engineering from Queens University, and a diploma in Mining Technology from BCIT.
Keith Harris-Lowe, Vice President, Human Resources Mr. Harris-Lowe joined Aura Minerals in June 2010 as Vice-President, Human Resources, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in the mining sector. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Harris-Lowe worked for Falconbridge Ltd. and then Xstrata Plc. following the merger of these two companies. Mr. Harris-Lowe worked at a number of metallurgical and mining sites, and then in divisional roles where, over this period, he was responsible for succession planning, leadership development, organizational development, recruitment and selection, performance management, and labour relations. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Ryan Goodman, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Mr. Goodman was appointed Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Aura Minerals in June 2012. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Goodman practiced law with several Canadian national law firms representing numerous mining companies in the Americas in connection with initial public offerings, private placement funding, takeovers and mergers, the acquisition and disposition of mineral properties and public company maintenance and compliance including corporate governance and public disclosure. Mr. Goodman is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association in British Columbia.
Gonzalo Rios, B.Sc., MBA, EP, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility Mr. Rios joined Aura Minerals in March 2010, bringing with him 18 years of mining environmental and safety experience. Mr. Rios has worked at operations and projects in South and Central America, where his core skills lie in permitting, mine closure, water quality and safety management. He was involved in several successful mining operations in Chile, such as, Escondida, El Abra and Cerro Bayo Mines, and before coming to Aura Minerals he held the position of Director, Environmental Affairs at Pan American Silver Corp. Previous to Pan American Silver Corp., Mr. Rios led AMEC’s earth and environmental division and held the position of Safety, Health and Environment Manager for the Mining and Metals Division in Chile. In these roles, Mr. Rios oversaw health, safety, environmental and community relations projects in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Panama and Chile. Mr. Rios holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Toronto, a postgraduate diploma in environmental management from the University of Santiago, Chile, a postgraduate diploma in environmental engineering from the University of Concepcion, Chile and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Chile.
Dale Tweed, P. Eng., Vice President, Projects Mr. Tweed joined Aura Minerals in July 2009. He has over 25 years of experience in the execution of greenfield and brownfield mining projects. He has considerable experience in Latin America, having participated in projects in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Honduras and Brazil. His experience prior to joining Aura included progressively senior project management roles for mining companies – Yamana, Rio Tinto, Viceroy Exploration, and Placer Dome – as well as for engineering and construction firms – Fluor and Amec. Notable projects in which Mr. Tweed held a senior role through the execution phase include Gualcamayo, Diavik, Cuajone 96K expansion, and Cerro Verde SX/EW expansion. Mr. Tweed holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta and an MBA in Project Management from Athabasca University.
Alex Penha, Vice President, Corporate Development Mr. Penha joined Aura Minerals in November 2012. Mr. Penha has nine years of mining experience in corporate development, research and investment banking. In addition to his role with the Company, Mr. Penha is the General Manager, Corporate Development at Rio Novo Gold (TSX: RN) and Vice President, Corporate Development for Rio Verde Minerals Development Corp (RVD-TSX). Mr. Penha also sits on the board of directors of Search Minerals Inc. (SMY-TSXV) and is member of the board of directors of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining Rio Novo, Mr. Penha worked as a Vice President of Research at Tau Capital Corp.; Gold Research Associate at Merrill Lynch Canada; Gold Research Associate at Clarus Securities Inc.; and as a Mining Associate in the Investment Banking group of Thomas Weisel Partners Canada. Mr. Penha has also worked for over five years in Corporate Finance at Banif Investment Banking and other capital markets institutions based in Brazil. Mr. Penha holds an MBA from York University, Schulich School of Business, a BSc. Economics, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ) and a Post-Graduate Degree in Corporate Finance, Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Rio de Janeiro.

Jim Bannantine, President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Bannantine joined Aura Minerals in October 2011. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Bannantine served as CEO of Intercap Energy Systems, a provider of systems and software to electric utilities and large commercial, campus and government customers. From 2005 to early 2010, Mr. Bannantine was a partner in Atlantic Capital Group and served as Managing Partner of their private equity activities, responsible for origination, investment due diligence, negotiation of transactions, investment pricing and structuring and fund raising. Between 2001 and 2005, Mr. Bannantine founded Acumen Capital, LLC, a private equity firm. From 2001 through 2002 Mr. Bannantine led and then sold a start-up company, Dorsal Networks, to Corvis Corporation (NASDAQ: CORV). Corvis subsequently became Broadwing Corporation (NASDAQ: BWNG), a $900 million telecom company, where Mr. Bannantine served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2003 through 2005. Mr. Bannantine worked with Enron Corporation for ten years, from 1990 to 2000, holding several top management positions, including six years in Brazil, most notably as Chief Executive Officer for Enron South America, the power and pipeline division of Enron with assets of $3.5 billion and 4,500 employees. Prior to Enron, Mr. Bannantine served in the United States Army as Contracting Officer for the Corp of Engineers in Honduras, and as an Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance at the US Military Academy. Mr. Bannantine received an MBA from the Wharton School with Distinction and is a West Point Distinguished Graduate. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and is board member of several private companies, organizations and charities.

Rory Taylor, CA (SA), Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Taylor joined Aura Minerals in March 2012. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Taylor was Vice President, Finance, Mining Operations at Endeavour Mining Corporation for a year and prior thereto, he was Vice President, Finance at Crew Gold Corporation for 6 years. These companies owned and operated gold mines and various exploration properties in West Africa, Greenland and the Philippines and he was responsible for all aspects of financial management within the organizations. He has also held senior finance roles in companies in the telecommunications sector and in the assurance practices of Ernst and Young in Vancouver and South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town and is a South African qualified Chartered Accountant.

Bruce Butcher, P. Eng, Vice President, Technical Services

Mr. Butcher joined Aura Minerals in September 2010 as Vice President Technical Services, bringing with him over 25 years of mine engineering, operating and project experience from both North and South America. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Butcher was Director, Mine Engineering for Teck Resources Ltd., responsible for the open pit and underground mine design for all corporate projects and operational support. Mr. Butcher began his career working for Quintette Coal Ltd, and later at the Bullmoose mine for Teck as a Production Engineer. After that he moved to the Afton project as a Sr. Mine Engineer and eventually joined Teck’s Vancouver office. Mr. Butcher was involved with the Antamina project in Peru, where he was active in the start-up, commissioning and operation of the mine for 4 years. He returned from Peru to Teck’s Head office where he was Manager, Mine Engineering, before becoming Director, Mine Engineering in 2008. In addition to engineering and operational activities, he has served as a Technical Committee member for Hemlo’s underground operations, Antamina, and more recently for the Galore Creek JV. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mining Engineering from Queens University, and a diploma in Mining Technology from BCIT.

Keith Harris-Lowe, Vice President, Human Resources

Mr. Harris-Lowe joined Aura Minerals in June 2010 as Vice-President, Human Resources, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in the mining sector. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Harris-Lowe worked for Falconbridge Ltd. and then Xstrata Plc. following the merger of these two companies. Mr. Harris-Lowe worked at a number of metallurgical and mining sites, and then in divisional roles where, over this period, he was responsible for succession planning, leadership development, organizational development, recruitment and selection, performance management, and labour relations. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Ryan Goodman, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Mr. Goodman was appointed Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Aura Minerals in June 2012. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Goodman practiced law with several Canadian national law firms representing numerous mining companies in the Americas in connection with initial public offerings, private placement funding, takeovers and mergers, the acquisition and disposition of mineral properties and public company maintenance and compliance including corporate governance and public disclosure. Mr. Goodman is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association in British Columbia.

Gonzalo Rios, B.Sc., MBA, EP, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility

Mr. Rios joined Aura Minerals in March 2010, bringing with him 18 years of mining environmental and safety experience. Mr. Rios has worked at operations and projects in South and Central America, where his core skills lie in permitting, mine closure, water quality and safety management. He was involved in several successful mining operations in Chile, such as, Escondida, El Abra and Cerro Bayo Mines, and before coming to Aura Minerals he held the position of Director, Environmental Affairs at Pan American Silver Corp. Previous to Pan American Silver Corp., Mr. Rios led AMEC’s earth and environmental division and held the position of Safety, Health and Environment Manager for the Mining and Metals Division in Chile. In these roles, Mr. Rios oversaw health, safety, environmental and community relations projects in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Panama and Chile. Mr. Rios holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Toronto, a postgraduate diploma in environmental management from the University of Santiago, Chile, a postgraduate diploma in environmental engineering from the University of Concepcion, Chile and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Chile.

Dale Tweed, P. Eng., Vice President, Projects

Mr. Tweed joined Aura Minerals in July 2009. He has over 25 years of experience in the execution of greenfield and brownfield mining projects. He has considerable experience in Latin America, having participated in projects in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Honduras and Brazil. His experience prior to joining Aura included progressively senior project management roles for mining companies – Yamana, Rio Tinto, Viceroy Exploration, and Placer Dome – as well as for engineering and construction firms – Fluor and Amec. Notable projects in which Mr. Tweed held a senior role through the execution phase include Gualcamayo, Diavik, Cuajone 96K expansion, and Cerro Verde SX/EW expansion. Mr. Tweed holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta and an MBA in Project Management from Athabasca University.

Alex Penha, Vice President, Corporate Development

Mr. Penha joined Aura Minerals in November 2012. Mr. Penha has nine years of mining experience in corporate development, research and investment banking. In addition to his role with the Company, Mr. Penha is the General Manager, Corporate Development at Rio Novo Gold (TSX: RN) and Vice President, Corporate Development for Rio Verde Minerals Development Corp (RVD-TSX). Mr. Penha also sits on the board of directors of Search Minerals Inc. (SMY-TSXV) and is member of the board of directors of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining Rio Novo, Mr. Penha worked as a Vice President of Research at Tau Capital Corp.; Gold Research Associate at Merrill Lynch Canada; Gold Research Associate at Clarus Securities Inc.; and as a Mining Associate in the Investment Banking group of Thomas Weisel Partners Canada. Mr. Penha has also worked for over five years in Corporate Finance at Banif Investment Banking and other capital markets institutions based in Brazil. Mr. Penha holds an MBA from York University, Schulich School of Business, a BSc. Economics, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ) and a Post-Graduate Degree in Corporate Finance, Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Rio de Janeiro.