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.
J. Britt Reid, P.Eng., Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Mr. Reid joined Aura Minerals in November 2009, bringing with him over 30 years of mine operating and management experience in North, Central and South America. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Reid was Chief Operating Officer for North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd., responsible for all operational and project activities at the Cantung Mine and Mactung Project, in northern Canada. Prior thereto, Mr. Reid was Vice President, Mining Operations for Aur Resources Inc., where he was responsible for all operational and investment activities at the Quebrada Blanca and Carmen de Andacollo copper mines in Chile, South America. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mineral Engineering from the University of British Columbia.
Fausto Taddei, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Mr. Taddei joined Aura Minerals in April 2008. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Taddei held the position of Chief Financial Officer of Western Canadian Coal Corp. During his three years at Western Canadian Coal, Mr. Taddei was responsible for executing various equity, convertible debenture, project debt and equipment lease financings aggregating more than $400 million. He has also held senior accounting and finance roles in numerous other public companies engaged in the natural resource sector. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Accountant.
Bruce Butcher, P. Eng, Vice President, Technical Service Mr. Butcher joined Aura Minerals in September 2010 as V.P. Technical Services, bringing with him over 22 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 got 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.
Deepk Hundal, Vice President, Legal and Corporate Secretary Mr. Hundal joined Aura Minerals in June, 2007. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Hundal held the position of Associate at Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, a large Canadian law firm, where he worked in the areas of corporate, commercial, securities and mining law. Prior thereto, Mr. Hundal worked for Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, a national Canadian law firm, in the area of corporate and commercial law. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia.
Gonzalo Rios, B.Sc., MBA, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility Mr. Rios joined Aura Minerals in March 2010, bringing with him 15 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, 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 as Vice President, Projects. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Tweed served as a consultant on several large-scale copper and gold projects located in the Americas. Specifically, he was responsible for identifying opportunities for project optimization and implementation of these recommendations. These projects included managing studies for mine expansions, process and infrastructure; engineering and procurement for an open pit, heap-leach gold operation; and managing preliminary assessments, pit geotechnical design, metallurgical testwork and project feasibility. Mr. Tweed has also held progressively senior project management roles at Placer Dome Inc., Fluor Corporation, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. and AMEC Plc. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta and a Master of Business Administration degree in Project Management from Athabasca University.

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.

J. Britt Reid, P.Eng., Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Reid joined Aura Minerals in November 2009, bringing with him over 30 years of mine operating and management experience in North, Central and South America. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Reid was Chief Operating Officer for North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd., responsible for all operational and project activities at the Cantung Mine and Mactung Project, in northern Canada. Prior thereto, Mr. Reid was Vice President, Mining Operations for Aur Resources Inc., where he was responsible for all operational and investment activities at the Quebrada Blanca and Carmen de Andacollo copper mines in Chile, South America. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mineral Engineering from the University of British Columbia.

Fausto Taddei, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Taddei joined Aura Minerals in April 2008. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Taddei held the position of Chief Financial Officer of Western Canadian Coal Corp. During his three years at Western Canadian Coal, Mr. Taddei was responsible for executing various equity, convertible debenture, project debt and equipment lease financings aggregating more than $400 million. He has also held senior accounting and finance roles in numerous other public companies engaged in the natural resource sector. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Accountant.

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

Mr. Butcher joined Aura Minerals in September 2010 as V.P. Technical Services, bringing with him over 22 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 got 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.

Deepk Hundal, Vice President, Legal and Corporate Secretary

Mr. Hundal joined Aura Minerals in June, 2007. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Hundal held the position of Associate at Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, a large Canadian law firm, where he worked in the areas of corporate, commercial, securities and mining law. Prior thereto, Mr. Hundal worked for Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, a national Canadian law firm, in the area of corporate and commercial law. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia.

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

Mr. Rios joined Aura Minerals in March 2010, bringing with him 15 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, 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 as Vice President, Projects. Prior to joining Aura Minerals, Mr. Tweed served as a consultant on several large-scale copper and gold projects located in the Americas. Specifically, he was responsible for identifying opportunities for project optimization and implementation of these recommendations. These projects included managing studies for mine expansions, process and infrastructure; engineering and procurement for an open pit, heap-leach gold operation; and managing preliminary assessments, pit geotechnical design, metallurgical testwork and project feasibility. Mr. Tweed has also held progressively senior project management roles at Placer Dome Inc., Fluor Corporation, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. and AMEC Plc. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta and a Master of Business Administration degree in Project Management from Athabasca University.