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HISTORY
When Great Quest was founded, the company was focused gold exploration in Mali. Its principle asset, the Djambaye II concession was sold to Avion Gold Corporation (now Endeavour Mining Corporation) at the end of 2009. Following this sale, the Malian government encouraged the Great Quest team to explore opportunities in the Malian fertilizer market. The expansive phosphate deposits in northern Mali were widely known but required a team of professionals to develop the resource to international standards. Management recognized great potential to create value for shareholders, realize near term cashflow and make a measurable positive impact on all levels of Malian society.
In 2014, the company honed its focus on phosphate and restructured the management team and Board of Directors to develop a fertilizer company, changing its name to Great Quest Fertilizer Ltd, a reflection of the company's efforts. Great Quest then applied for and was successfully granted permits for the Tilemsi phosphate concession by the Malian Ministry of Mines.
Enter 2021, the global pandemic generates a renewed global market interest in precious metals. Great Quest responds accordingly by returning to its roots in gold exploration. The team announces a refocus on its gold interests in southwestern Mali - the Sanoukou project, followed by new precious metals exploration opportunities in Morocco.
In 2023, the company made a significant move by entering into an agreement to acquire up to 70% of Belmont Mineral Exploration Ltd. This strategic step opened doors to three gold project areas rich in potential for gold and lithium deposits.
Since then, Great Quest has directed its focus towards gold exploration in Namibia, while maintaining exposure in Morocco and Mali. This shift marks a pivotal milestone for the company, emphasizing its commitment to gold projects in Namibia, a renowned and stable mining jurisdiction.
In July 2024, the company successfully completed its name transition to Great Quest Gold Ltd.
MANAGEMENT
Jed Richardson
Executive Chairman
Jed Richardson has extensive experience in the mining and financial sectors. He worked as a Research Associate at RBC Capital Markets and a Research Analyst at Cormark/Sprott Securities. He also served as a Mining Engineer for Alcan Aluminum after earning a B.A.Sc in Mineral and Geological Engineering from the University of Toronto. More recently, he was the Vice-President of Corporate Development for Amazon Mining, a UK-registered company with interests in potash and gold in Brazil. Based in Toronto, Mr. Richardson joined Great Quest's Board on April 7, 2010, was appointed President & CEO on May 13, 2013, and transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman on May 3, 2024. His expertise in capital markets and exploration and production of fertilizer adds significant value to the Management and Board.
Mohammed Bouhsane
Chief Operating Officer
Mohammed Bouhsane brings to Great Quest 20 years' experience in project management and engineering in the Moroccan mining, hydrometallurgical, and metallurgy industries and a strong understanding of the phosphate industry. His expertise spans the mining, beneficiation and commercial production phases of a variety of ores and he has successfully brought all of the projects under his direction to production. Mohammed is a member of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ), and the Conseil National des Ingénieurs et Scientifiques de France (CNISF). He holds a Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, and a Masters degree (DEA) in process engineering from Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Chimiques et Technologiques de Toulouse (ENSIACET) in France. He also completed a DUT degree in chemical engineering technology at Ecole Supérieure de Technologie (EST) in Fès, Morocco. Mohammed was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Great Quest in November 2011.
Paul Bozoki
Chief Financial Officer
Paul Bozoki is a seasoned dual Canadian and U.S. CPA with approximately 25 years of accounting, tax and corporate finance experience. He has served as CFO of several development stage TSX and TSXV-listed companies involved in mining, technology and consumer products. He also has extensive experience working in emerging markets. Mr. Bozoki began his career at EY LLP where he spent six years in the audit practice. He has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s. Paul is veteran corporate financial executive who draws upon 25 years of experience working on six continents to support his portfolio companies.
Albert C. Yuen
Head of Precious Metals Strategy
Albert C. Yuen, CFA is a Managing Director and Founder of DesVoeux Guilford LLC, a family office, research consultant, and advisor. Albert also serves as a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of HRN, a multi-family office and advisory platform with investments across real estate, venture tech, life sciences, and alternative investment funds. He carries a registration with TigerBridge Capital a New York-based broker-dealer. Mr. Yuen possesses a broad range of experience with companies and projects involved in the Mining and Resources, Energy, Technology, Agriculture, Healthcare/Biotech, Financial Services, and FinTech sectors. Albert has been a visible actor as an advisor and investor in several high-profile transactions and has also been quoted as an authority on capital markets and international development
Dr. Andreas Rompel
President and VP Exploration
Dr. Andreas Rompel, with over 35 years of expertise in the mining industry, has held significant roles, including President & CEO of Cobalt Power Group, where he led successful exploration initiatives yielding a seven-fold return for investors. He served as Corporate Development Manager for Hochschild Mining in Peru and held managerial roles in Mexico. Beginning his career in 1988 with Anglo American in South Africa, Dr. Rompel advanced from Shaft Geologist to Head of the Geophysical Service department and was part of Anglo’s Technical Audit Team. Currently, he is the Vice President of Exploration for Trigon Metals and CEO and Vice President of Exploration for Q Gold Resources. He holds an M.Sc. from Goethe University, a Ph.D. in Structural Geology from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a diploma in Investments in Mining Projects. A registered Professional Natural Scientist and Fellow of the South African Institute for Mining and Metallurgy, Dr. Rompel is fluent in German, Afrikaans, and English, enhancing his contributions to the Great Quest team.
DIRECTORS
John A. Clarke, Ph.D
Chairman
John Clarke brings considerable experience in mineral exploration, corporate acquisition and development in the gold mining sector in Africa. Dr. Clarke has held roles as Vice-Chairman and CEO of Nevsun Resources and, prior to joining Nevsun, he was Executive Director of Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited of Ghana. He joined Ashanti in 1982 and contributed to establishing Ashanti's gold exploration program throughout sub-Saharan Africa. He is the Director of several companies which have exploration and development activities in Africa. Dr.Clarke holds a B.Sc. in metallurgy from University College Cardiff, a Ph.D. in metallurgy from Cambridge University and an MBA from Middlesex Polytechnic. Mr. Clarke joined the Board on June 17, 2009.
Jed Richardson
Executive Chairman
Jed Richardson has extensive experience in the mining and financial sectors. He worked as a Research Associate at RBC Capital Markets and a Research Analyst at Cormark/Sprott Securities. He also served as a Mining Engineer for Alcan Aluminum after earning a B.A.Sc in Mineral and Geological Engineering from the University of Toronto. More recently, he was the Vice-President of Corporate Development for Amazon Mining, a UK-registered company with interests in potash and gold in Brazil. Based in Toronto, Mr. Richardson joined Great Quest's Board on April 7, 2010, was appointed President & CEO on May 13, 2013, and transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman on May 3, 2024. His expertise in capital markets and exploration and production of fertilizer adds significant value to the Management and Board.
David Shaw
Director
Since completing his doctorate 30 years ago, David Shaw has worked both in the technical and financial communities within the resource industry. Seven years were spent with Chevron Resources in Calgary and Vancouver, employed initially as an in-house structural consultant on both metal and hydrocarbon exploration programs and then as a member of a hydrocarbon project financial evaluation team. Upon leaving Chevron, he initiated and developed the Resource Research Group at Charlton Securities Ltd., Calgary before assuming the position of Senior Mining Analyst, Corporate Finance, at Yorkton Securities Inc. in Vancouver. Throughout David's career, he has built strong relationships with European financial institutions and the global mining community with valuable experience in West Africa. Mr. Shaw joined the Board on December 16, 2010.
Mama Tapo
Director
Mama Tapo brings more the 40 years of experience in business administration and strategic planning to Great Quest. He has dedicated his life and career to the development of his country and support for his countrymen. Professionally, he has worked as a senior advisor to the Malian government where he oversaw the coordination of its World Bank programs and designed a leadership training development program for USAID. He was formerly the Malian director general of Ashanti Goldfields. Mama Tapo’s extraordinary volunteer service as the Malian governor of Lions Club International has led to recognition as an “Eye Care Hero” for overseeing the administration of health and vision care programs as an optometrist in Mali and other parts of West Africa. Early in his career, Mama Tapo taught financial mathematics and economic at the post-secondary level in the United States and France. Mr. Tapo has completed degrees in Civil Engineering and Management at Amiens (France) at and holds an MBA from Wake Forest University (USA). Mr. Mama Tapo has worked with Great Quest in the capacity of a local liaison in Mali and strategic advisor on the Company’s governmental relations since 2009.
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Committee Members and Chairman)
- Audit Committee: David A. Shaw (Chair) / John A. Clarke / Albert C. Yuen
- Nominating, Compensation and Governance: John A. Clarke (Chair) / David A. Shaw / Albert C. Yuen
- Environmental, Health & Safety and Social Responsibility: John A. Clarke / David A.Shaw / Albert C. Yuen