
At Independence Mining, Jim was Mine Superintendent at the Big Springs and Jerritt Canyon gold mines with supervisory responsibility for mine infrastructure design, field construction, operations, permitting and reclamation. He took the Big Springs mine operation from grassroots through advanced exploration to full production on schedule and at budget. As Mine Superintendent at Jerritt Canyon, Jim managed a crew of 200 while increasing production to a record level of 40 million tons per year and improving crew morale and safety.
Jim has extensive Nevada exploration experience ranging from grassroots reconnaissance to pre-mine development, and directed exploration team efforts that led to the discovery of Big Springs mine. Jim is experienced in community relations, sustainable development, and governmental affairs at local, state and national levels on mining and public land issues.
Jim is the grandson of Daniel C. McRae, the original locator of a majority of the mining claims in the Thunder Mountain Mining District. His father, Jim Collord, Sr., worked for many years in the area mines, and was the previous president of the Company. Jim has a Master of Science in Geology from the Mackay School of Mines, Reno, Nevada (1980). He has been an officer of Thunder Mountain Gold since 1978.
Larry has extensive company systems experience ranging Set-up and maintaining the GAAP reporting, the standard cost system, the reporting functions daily, purchasing system, daily production labor reporting, budgeting, forecasting financial analysis. He has a strong understanding of establishing a check and balance system of internal controls, and the detail relationship between different intercompany departments.
He managed Calcite Corporation’s industrial mineral mines, primarily kaolin clay, in Bishop California, the Sherman Mine with Days Mines, Inc, and Hecla Mining Company, in Leadville, the Knob Hill Mine in Republic Washington with Day Mines, and the Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho’s prolific Silver Valley.
Ralph managed projects including the redevelopment of the Blue Bell Mine in Mayer Arizona, a massive sulfide occurrence, the Thor Lake beryllium rare earths feasibility study, and the Apex Mine and hydrometallurgical germanium and gallium plant for Hecla Mining Company. With Hecla he oversaw the construction and operation of the LaChoya gold mine in Mexico.
As Manager of Mines and Vice President of Metal Mining with Hecla Mining Company, the operations in Ralph’s responsibility were Stibnite Idaho gold, Lucky Friday lead silver in Idaho, Republic gold silver in Washington, the Escalante silver mine in Utah, Hecla’s interests in the Galena and Coeur Mine in Idaho and the Greens Creek Mine in Alaska, and Rosebud in Nevada. His group discovered and developed both the Golden Promise deposit in Republic and the Gold Hunter deposit near the Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho.
Ralph spent 15 years in investment portfolio management with Salomon Smith Barney, then Wells Fargo Advisors. He worked with individuals and small businesses, specializing in working with mining executives.
Mr. Kornze directed minesite exploration activities for the Goldstrike Mine, with discoveries at the Betze, Meikle, Deepstar, Screamer, and Rodeo deposits. He managed the Betze/Deep Post reserve development drilling and reserve estimation, along with mine dewatering, ore control guidance, ore body metallurgical studies, and general U.S. exploration. Mr. Kornze was Chief Geologist — Operations and New Projects at Barrick Mercur Gold Mines, Inc. from 1985 — 1986.
Prior to working for Barrick, Mr. Kornze was Chief Geologist for Newmont Mines Ltd., Similkameen Division, B.C., and Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE: NEM) of Canada from 1968 to 1981.
Mr. Kornze has a B.Sc. Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, and is a Professional Engineer of the Province of British Columbia, and current director of several Canadian Junior Exploration companies including Candente Gold Corporation, Duncan Park Holdings Corporation, Mexivada Mining Corporation, Dynasty Gold Corporation, Goldex Resources Corporation, and Mesa Exploration Corporation.
Paul attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force where he was a Director – Contracting Automation Systems, managing over 150 personnel responsible for Air Force Contracting Systems. During his service he consolidated two major commands and served as a Missile Launch Officer, Pilot, and Contracting Officer. Paul earned his M.A., in Administration at Webster College, and a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Idaho.