Who is the Management Team Behind Patriot Battery Metals?
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. , a dynamic hard-rock lithium exploration company, has taken center stage in the rapidly evolving lithium market. With a strategic focus on advancing its 100% owned Corvette Property, located in Quebec, Canada's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region, Patriot Battery Metals is poised to become a key player in the global lithium supply chain. The Corvette Property hosts the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite, boasting a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate of 109. 2 million tonnes (Mt) at 1. 42% Li2O and 160 parts per million (ppm) Ta2O5, with a cut-off of 0. 40% Li2O.
Story Continues.. after this ad because we need some dollarydoos
This discovery ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas by contained Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) and stands among the top 10 largest lithium pegmatite resources globally. Moreover, the property holds substantial unexplored potential, including numerous spodumene pegmatite clusters awaiting drilling and over 20 kilometers of promising prospective trend.
Meet the Leadership Team
To drive its ambitious mission forward, Patriot Battery Metals has assembled a leadership team of seasoned industry professionals, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise:
Blair Way: CEO, President & Director
Blair Way, an accomplished international executive with over three decades of management experience in the resources and construction industry, leads the charge as CEO, President, and Director. His extensive career spans Australasia, Canada, the United States, and Europe, and he possesses a versatile background in various commodities, including gold, copper, nickel, zinc, magnesium, graphite, cobalt, and lithium.
Prior to joining Patriot Battery Metals, Mr. Way served as the CEO, President, and Director of TSXV-listed Leading Edge Materials and held key positions at Ventana Gold and Oceanagold Philippines. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Queensland, and is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Natacha Garoute: Chief Financial Officer
As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Patriot Battery Metals, Natacha Garoute brings over two decades of experience in publicly traded and mining companies with international exposure. Her extensive financial career includes serving as the CFO at Champion Iron Ore (ASX 200 & TSX) and Roxgold Inc. (TSX) between 2013 and 2018.
Ms. Garoute has led the Finance and Information Technology functions, including tax and treasury, and has expertise in Project Finance, Capital Markets, and Investor Relations. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Quebec in Montreal and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Montreal. Ms. Garoute is also an Independent Director and member of the Audit Committee of Aya Gold and Silver Inc. , a silver producer listed on the TSX.
Darren L. Smith: Vice President of Exploration
With over 17 years of industry experience, Darren L. Smith serves as the Vice President of Exploration at Patriot Battery Metals. His specialization lies in high-level project management, encompassing program design, technical reporting, land management, community engagement, and technical disclosure.
Mr. Smith has provided technical oversight for Preliminary Economic Assessments (PEA), Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS), and Feasibility Studies (FS), and has led complex metallurgical programs. His expertise spans a wide range of commodities, including rare earth elements (REEs), lithium, cobalt, uranium, phosphate, fluorspar, and base & precious metals. Notably, Darren and his team discovered one of the world's largest REE deposits, the Ashram deposit, in 2009. In 2017, they uncovered the Corvette lithium pegmatite district, home to one of the world's largest lithium pegmatites, CV5, through diligent drilling efforts.
Alix Drapack: VP Environment, Social and Governance
Alix Drapack, P. Eng. , MBA, ICD. D, adds her extensive experience to Patriot Battery Metals as the VP of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG). With a career spanning over 30 years, Ms. Drapack is a Professional Engineer proficient in managing mining, environmental, and transportation/infrastructure projects. Her diverse background includes roles in operations, consulting, and corporate offices across Canada and the USA.
Most notably, she served as the Chief Sustainability Officer for Osisko Mining Inc. , where her responsibilities encompassed health & safety, environment, human resources, indigenous and community relations. During her tenure at Osisko, she focused on permitting the Windfall Lake Project in Northern Quebec and led the combined federal and provincial environmental assessment process for the Hammond Reef Gold Project in Ontario. Her expertise and dedication were pivotal in securing authorizations for crucial project milestones.
Greg Barfoot: VP Project Development
Greg Barfoot, an accomplished project management professional, is the VP Project Development at Patriot Battery Metals. With a broad international background in project development across all phases, Mr. Barfoot has overseen projects with total invested capital of up to $6. 5 billion, spanning diverse commodities and locations.
Over his 25-year career, he has held senior project development roles with BHP, SNC Lavalin, and Fluor. His most recent focus was on managing infrastructure development for the BHP Jansen Potash Mine in Saskatchewan during an eight-year tenure in Canada. Greg Barfoot holds a Master of Business Administration from Curtain University in Perth, a Master of Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of Newcastle, and a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from the University of Technology Sydney.
Bradley Seward: VP Investor Relations
Bradley Seward, a seasoned capital markets professional, leads Investor Relations at Patriot Battery Metals. With extensive knowledge of the critical minerals sector, Mr. Seward has a rich background in Equity Research, Syndication and Sales.
His career began at Patersons Securities (now Canaccord Australia), where he worked in Mining Equity Research and Institutional Equities Sales and Origination. Bradley's expertise in capital markets and minerals positions him as a valuable asset for Patriot Battery Metals in effectively communicating its strategic vision to investors.
Head Consultants: Guiding Expertise
In addition to its exceptional leadership team, Patriot Battery Metals benefits from the invaluable guidance of expert Head Consultants:
Brett Grosvenor: Metallurgy and Processing Head Consultant
Brett Grosvenor, an industry professional with over 25 years of experience in the Mining, Minerals, and Power industries, lends his expertise to Patriot Battery Metals. Currently serving as a Non-Executive Director at Perpetual Resources (ASX:PEC), Mr. Grosvenor has a distinguished track record.
He played a pivotal role in the strategic transition of Primero Group from a privately held business to an ASX-listed entity, which culminated in its successful sale to NRW Holdings in January 2021. Brett Grosvenor's background in Engineering, a Master's Degree in Business, and his status as a Graduate of ACID equip him with the strategic and operational acumen to drive sound technical execution.
Andrée Drolet: Senior Advisor ESIA & Permits
Andrée Drolet, a mining engineer and member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, contributes 25 years of expertise in the mining industry to Patriot Battery Metals. Her experience spans water and mine waste management, mine closure, and permitting. Notably, Ms. Drolet served as the Environment Director for Osisko Mining Inc. , where she led the environmental assessment and permitting for the Windfall project.
Her role involved coordinating with regulators to meet expectations, developing permitting schedules, and securing authorizations for bulk samples and related infrastructure. Andrée's involvement in technical studies, water and mine waste management, and environmental site management underscores her dedication to ensuring compliance and sustainable practices.
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. stands at the forefront of the lithium revolution, driven by visionary leadership, pioneering discoveries, and a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. With its Corvette Property's exceptional lithium resource and an expert team guiding its every move, the company is poised to shape the future of the lithium market, supporting the global transition to cleaner energy solutions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. It does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any securities mentioned in this article.
Promote your business on our growing investor platform: Advertise With Us