A geologist with over 30 years of diversified technical and managerial experience in mineral exploration, primarily in Latin America, the Western U.S. and Asia, Mr. Spurney has evaluated a wide variety of precious and base metal deposits in metallogenic belts around the world. John played a key role in discovery of the Cerro Crucitas and Conchudita epithermal gold deposits (in Costa Rica), and the Cerro Casale porphyry gold-copper deposit (in Chile). John has worked both as an independent consultant, and an employee for such world class companies as Placer Dome, Barrick Gold, Kinross Gold, Brett Resources, Bema Gold, and Getty Mining. Mr. Spurney received his B.Sc. (1979) and M.Sc. (1984) degrees in geology from Kent State University in the U.S.