Kerim Sener
Managing DirectorKerim Sener
Kerim graduated from the University of Southampton with a first-class BSc (Hons) degree in Geology in 1997 and from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, with an MSc in Mineral Exploration in 1998. After working in gold exploration and mining in Zimbabwe, he completed a PhD at the University of Western Australia in 2004. Since then he has been responsible for the discovery of over 3.8Moz of gold in eastern Europe. Kerim is also Non-Executive Chairman of LSE-listed Panther Metals plc, and Non-Executive Chairman of ASX-listed Panther Metals Australia. He is also an Adjunct Research Fellow in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Western Australia.
Kerim is a Fellow of The Geological Society of London, Member of The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Member of the Chamber of Geological Engineers in Turkey and a member of the Society of Economic Geologists.
Michael de Villiers
Chairman and Company SecretaryMichael de Villiers
Michael qualified as a Professional Accountant with Ernst & Young in Cape Town. He gained his experience as Financial Manager at mining and chemicals operations in Botswana, Bulgaria, FSU, Ghana, Namibia and the United Kingdom. He was previously CFO of Eurasia Mining plc, Finance Director of Mercator Gold (now ECR Minerals plc), Oxus Gold plc and Navan Mining plc. He has over 30 years’ experience in the mining industry.
Michael is Chairman of the Audit Committee and serves on the Sustainability Committee.
William Payne
Non-Executive Director and Chief Financial OfficerWilliam Payne
William studied Accountancy at Exeter University before training and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in London. In 2003, he became a partner in top 20 accountancy practice Wilkins Kennedy LLP at their London office, which is now part of the Cogital Group.
William is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and serves on the Audit Committee.
Chris Sangster
Non-Executive DirectorChris Sangster
Chris is a mining engineer with over 40 years’ experience in the mining industry. He has a BSc Hons in Mining Engineering from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College in London and a GDE in Mineral Economics from the University of Witwatersrand and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining. Chris has extensive experience in gold, diamond and base metal production environments. He held positions of Vice President Mining Services at KCM PLC and Principal Mining Engineer for Australian Mining Consultants. He co-founded ASX / AIM listed Scotgold Resources and was its Managing Director following which he became a Non- Executive Director and Technical Consultant from late 2014.
Chris is Chairman of the Sustainability Committee and serves on the Remuneration Committee.
Fatma Yildiz
General ManagerFatma Yildiz
Fatma is a Turkish national and has 13 years of experience in the mining sector in Turkey. She graduated from Cukurova University in 2007 with a BSc degree in Mining Engineering. In addition to being our General Manager, she is also responsible for managing the administrative and legal requirements of our exploration/operational licenses, applications and formal reporting for licenses.
Fatma is a member of the Chamber of Mining Engineers of Turkey, holder of a technical inspector certificate and an occupational health and safety certificate.
Berkin Uğurlu
Exploration ManagerBerkin Uğurlu
Berkin graduated from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara with a BSc degree in Geology in 2005 and MSc in Structural Controls on Ore Deposits in 2019. He also holds a BAA in Business Administration from the Anadolu University. He worked with Teck in Turkey in various projects from target evaluation to advance project development before working as a Senior Geological Consultant where he conducted due diligence, code compliance, valuation and resource estimation studies. He also worked as Country Manager for Tigris-Eurasia Madencilik (originally a subsidiary of Royal Road Minerals). He has experience managing all aspects of mineral exploration programmes from project generation through to resource and reserve drilling and technical reporting to NI 43-101 and JORC standards. He is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, a member of European Federation of Geologists and National Vetting Committee, a board member of the Mining Geologists Association, a member of Association of Geosciences, Mining and Metallurgy Professionals and a member of the Chamber of Geological Engineers in Turkey.
He is a CRIRSCO Competent Person, a EurGeol Qualified Expert and an UMREK Competent Person.
Selim Senoz
Geological Database ManagerSelim Senoz
Selim graduated in 2001 with a BSc in Geological Engineering from Dokuz Eylül University in Izmir. He is responsible for updating our information systems databases, managing our geographic information systems and drilling data across all of our projects. He is the company’s designated QA/QC officer and has worked with the company since 2006.
He is a member of the Chamber of Geological Engineers of Turkey and has been on its board for the past two terms.
Burak Mert
Project Geologist - Western TurkeyBurak Mert
Burak graduated from Aksaray University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Geological Engineering in 2008 and from İstanbul Rumeli University in 2018 with MSc in Occupational Health & Safety. Previously he worked as a field geologist at 3S Holding, including Pb-Zn deposits and RCR Holding including Cu deposits across Turkey. He is currently working in various exploration programmes and is responsible all aspects of mineral exploration programmes in western Turkey.
He is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, a member of the Mining Geologists Association and a member of the Chamber of Geological Engineers in Turkey. He is holder of a technical inspector certificate and an IHA0 drone pilot qualification in Turkey.
Zack van Coller
Special Projects GeologistZack van Coller
Zack graduated from Cardiff University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Exploration and Resource Geology in 2010. As leader of our Special Projects Team, he is responsible for advancing our project pipeline, in addition to being involved in various exploration programmes across Turkey. He was involved in the development of the highly successful lithium strategy pursued by Asgard Metals Pty. Ltd. on behalf of Ariana. He has also been involved in advanced project development of a high-sulphidation Cu-Au deposit in the Republic of North Macedonia. Zack is bilingual in English and Afrikaans.
Zack is a member of the Geological Society of London and the Southampton Mineral and Fossil Society and operates primarily between the UK and Turkey.
Furkan Oğuz
Exploration GeologistFurkan Oğuz
Furkan graduated from the Middle East Technical University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Geological Engineering in Ankara and completed Anadolu University with ASc degree on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) then studying a MSc degree on Structural Geology at Middle East Technical University in Turkey.
He is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, the Mining Geologists Association and the Chamber of Geological Engineers in Turkey.
Tuncay Yavuz
Senior TechnicianTuncay Yavuz
Tuncay graduated from the Anadolu University with a BA (Hons) degree in International Relations. Tuncay worked for seven years with Newmont in Turkey as senior field technician prior to joining Ariana Resources in 2010. He has worked extensively on gold projects in western, eastern and north-eastern Turkey and is fully trained in field first aid, advanced off-road driving and health and safety (to Australian standards). Other qualifications include certificates in first-aid, ArcGIS and MapInfo Professional.
He holds an IHA0 drone pilot qualification in Turkey.
İsmail Aksoy
Technicianİsmail Aksoy
İsmail has 10 years of experience in the mining sector in Turkey. He is experienced with magnetic surveys and field sampling throughout western, central, and north-eastern Turkey. From 2011 to present he has worked with the company as a field technician in central and north-eastern of Turkey, mainly in the Balıkesir Province.
Elif Ünal
Remote Sensing SpecialistElif Ünal
Elif graduated from Hacettepe University in 2003 with a BSc (Hons) in Geological Engineering and from Anadolu University in 2007 with MSc in Remote Sensing; Geographical Information Systems (GIS). She has worked with INTA Space Turk Company on satellite image processing and Pontid Madencilik as a data manager and deputy general manager. She is responsible for administrative and data management requirements of the Salinbas Project and contributes to the work conducted on our other projects as appropriate. She is a member of the Chamber of Geological Engineers of Turkey and has a safe driving certificate.
She holds a IHA0 drone pilot qualification in Turkey.
Mikail Mert Gümüş
GeochemistMikail Mert Gümüş
Mert graduated from Ankara University with double majors in Geological Engineering and Chemistry. He is applying geochemical techniques to our mining and mineral exploration projects. He is assisting in the design of geochemical sampling campaigns, and the collection, management, interpretation and modelling of geochemical data. He has used x-ray diffractometers and x-ray fluorescence devices and prepared chemical analysis reports.
Mert is interested in petrography-mineralogy and relevant laboratory usage techniques.
Sinem Oğuz
GeoscientistSinem Oğuz
Sinem graduated from Middle East Technical University in 2019 from the Department of Geological Engineering BSc and from Anadolu University in Geographical Information Systems ASc. She worked with Esan Eczacıbaşı Holding in Balya Lead and Zinc Mine for two years as an Exploration Geologist.
She is a member of a Chamber of Geological Engineers and Mining Geologists Association.
Muammer Çelik
GeophysicistMuammer Çelik
Muammer graduated from Cumhuriyet University with a BSc degree in Geophysical Engineering in 2015 and from Kocaeli University with a Msc Degree in Geophysical Engineering on Magnetic Prospection in 2018 and also Dumlupinar University with a MSc in Occupational Health & Safety in 2020. Previously he worked as a Geophysical Engineer at Fimar Mermer, ore deposits exploration with Geophysical Magnetic Prospection Data Observation, Collecting, Processing and Structural Imaging.
Other qualifications include certificates in Geosoft Oasis Montaj, Sch.-WinGLink Shell and MapInfo Professional. He is a member of the (SEG) Society of Exploration Geophysicists, a member of the (AGU) Advancing Earth and Space Science, a member of the Chamber of Geophysical Engineers in Turkey.
Ruth Bektas
Project AnalystRuth Bektas
Ruth graduated from the University of Leicester with a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied and Environmental Geology in 2013. As Project Analyst, through geological, resource and financial modelling she is responsible for identifying new projects to add to our portfolio. Ruth worked with Ariana and Zenit from 2013 to 2018 and was involved in bringing the Kiziltepe Project from exploration to production stage. She has since been with Tetra Tech as a Resource Geologist, working on a range of projects around the world, reporting in line with NI 43-101 and JORC standards. Ruth is bilingual in English and Turkish.
Ruth is a Chartered Geologist of the Geological Society of London (CGeol) and the European Federation of Geologists (EurGeol). She is also a member of the Society of Economic Geologists.
Mehluli Tshuma
GIS AnalystMehluli Tshuma
Mehluli graduated in 2004 with a Diploma in Geology from the Zimbabwe School of Mines. He also holds a certificate in Technical and Operational Surface Mining from University of Pretoria. He has experience in mineral exploration and mining in southern Africa. He has worked for companies such as Reunion Mining PLC, Lonmin PLC, Metallon Gold and Zimbabwe Platinum Mines. In Mozambique he worked for Rovuma Resources Limitada managing the geographic information systems across all projects and was part of an exploration team that led to the graphite discovery in Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique. Most recently, he has been working with Canister Resources in Zimbabwe, where he was responsible for geological database management, taking their gold project to a full feasibility study.
Mesude Icoz
Accounting and Executive AssistantMesude Icoz
Mesude graduated from Social Services of Anadolu University. She worked as an Executive Assistant and Public Relations Officer in various companies before Galata Madencilik (Ariana Resources). She has been responsible for the Accounting and an Executive Assistant in our company since 2009. Mesude is holder of an Executive Assistant Certificate.
Mentor Demi
Managing Director (Western Tethyan Resources)Mentor Demi
Mentor is an exploration and resource geologist with 19 years of experience across Eastern Europe. He is a certified professional geologist, registered by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG), holds a BSc in Geology, and is an active member of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) and Society of Professional Scientists of Sweden (Naturvetarna). His early career commenced with the United Nations. Between 2007-2014, Mentor worked with several TSX listed junior companies, such as Lydian International Ltd. in Kosovo and Armenia and Tigris Resources (now Royal Road Minerals, TSX-V listed) in Turkey, operating in the roles of exploration and resource geologist on epithermal, intrusion related copper-gold and carbonate replacement deposits. In 2014, Mentor established his own consulting company, Taurus Field, through which he offered a wide range of exploration and resource geology services for clients operating in Africa, the Americas and Europe.
Until recently, Mentor was President of a Canadian private company Via Egnatia Resources Inc, a Ni-Co focused exploration company with projects in Kosovo.
Peter van der Borgh
Managing Director (Venus Minerals)Peter van der Borgh
Peter is a corporate geologist who has been instrumental in the discovery and development of greenfields and brownfields gold and base metals deposits in Australia, Ireland and Turkey. As Technical Director of ASX-listed African and South American focused uranium and specialty metals company Globe Uranium, Peter was instrumental in the discovery of the major Kanyika niobium deposit in Malawi.
In 2006 Peter formed and listed ASX gold company Cortona Resources, where as Managing Director he oversaw the development of the Dargues Gold Mine in NSW, securing the first gold mining permit in the State for more than ten years before completing a successful merger in 2013. The mine is currently under construction.
More recently, Peter was Managing Director of ASX-listed European focused base-metals company Zinc of Ireland, during which time a maiden JORC resource was published at the Kildare Zinc Project, and several significant discoveries were made.
Peter has overseen successful capital raisings totalling more than A$40 million, and a development financing with an international bank for more than A$40 million.
Peter is passionate about exploration and mining, and the roles that safe practice and technological advancement play in safeguarding the workforce and environment to deliver the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability.
David Groves
Global Mineral Systems AdvisorDavid Groves
David is an internationally renowned Geologist having held the role of Director of the Key Centre for Strategic Mineral Deposits at UWA, supervising over 250 research students, co-founding the Centre for Exploration Targeting at UWA and having been involved in several >1Moz gold discoveries as result of consulting work for major mining houses and juniors alike. David has been recognized for his achievements with 14 medals, inducted into the Australian Academy of Sciences as a Fellow and was made a National Geoscience Champion by the Australian Geoscience Council.
His major expertise remains conceptual exploration targeting, lithospheric to deposit scale assessment of mineral resources, adopting a hierarchical approach to scientific exploration and assessing tectonic controls on ore deposits.
Mathew Cooper
Senior Geophysics AdvisorMathew Cooper
Mathew has over 20 years experience working as a geophysicist for airborne and ground acquisition contractors and mining and exploration companies, including Normandy Exploration, with the last 13 years as a consultant, manager and director largely with Core Geophysics. He has been involved in a number of exploration successes whilst working on a range of projects, both within Australia and internationally. He has worked on a large variety of commodities including gold, iron ore, base metals, diamonds, uranium and oil and gas plays. Mathew is based in Perth, Western Australia.
Mathew is a member of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Society of Geophysicists, and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.
Erhan Sener
Business ConsultantErhan Sener
Erhan is a Turkish national and has over 45 years of experience in management in Turkey and in the United Kingdom. Erhan graduated with a degree in Business and Finance from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Istanbul, and then completed a Master's degree on Western European Integration at Reading University in the United Kingdom. Erhan has worked as a consultant for, or in management of, a number of international and Turkish companies including Blue Circle Cement (Consultant), Mardin Cement and Oyak Insurance (General Manager). Between 2003 and 2015, Erhan was the General Manager of Galata Madencilik Ariana's subsidiary company in Turkey before adopting a consulting role with the company.