CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Mr. Proust is a lifelong entrepreneur and has been an active participant in the Canadian capital markets for more than 30 years. An independent businessman, John is a founder, builder, financier, and principal shareholder of numerous public and private companies. He holds and has held senior operating roles and board positions of public companies on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE), Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and Alternative Investment Market (AIM). With his extensive business acumen, he has directed and advised companies with respect to strategy, debt and equity financing, mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and corporate governance.

Mr. Proust is currently Chairman and CEO of Southern Arc Minerals Inc., Chairman & CEO of Japan Gold Corp., President and Director of Lincoln Ventures Ltd., and Director of Rise Gold Corp. Mr. Proust has extensive experience in corporate governance, is a graduate of the Directors College, Michael G. De Groote School of Business at McMaster University and holds the designation of Chartered Director (C. Dir,).