Technical Advisors
Phil Smerchanski
Lead Technical Advisor
Phil Smerchanski is a highly accomplished Senior Technical Advisor with over two decades of extensive experience in mineral exploration, specializing in nickel and gold systems. He held significant senior technical leadership roles at Oxygen Capital for 11 years and at Anglo American, where he provided strategic technical guidance for project pipeline development. Mr. Smerchanski's broad expertise spans magmatic nickel sulphide and orogenic gold exploration. His proven leadership in advancing exploration initiatives, coupled with a deep understanding of diverse commodity systems, makes him an invaluable asset in guiding Canterra Minerals’ overall exploration strategy and project portfolio. He excels at overseeing and strategically advancing multiple projects from early-stage to more advanced phases, indicating his ability to shape Canterra’s long-term exploration trajectory.
Matt Penney
Technical Advisor-Geophysics
Matthew Penney, P.Geo, is a professional geophysicist and a Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) with over 20 years of international experience in the mineral exploration and mining industry. He has held Geophysicist positions at various major mining companies including Anglo American, Lundin Mining and most recently Principal Geophysicist at Glencore. He is now President and Consulting Geophysicist of Hardrock Geophysics Inc., where he has led geophysics teams for major and mid-tier mining companies across 14 countries. Mr. Penney is renowned for his expertise in cutting-edge exploration technologies, including deep-penetrating IP geophysical surveys and 3D inversion modeling. He has successfully applied these advanced techniques to define high-potential gold and base metal mineralization targets and enhance geological understanding. His contributions have consistently led to the discovery of new mineralized zones in both greenfield and brownfield environments, demonstrating his exceptional ability to translate complex geophysical data into actionable insights for discovery.
Randy Turner, P.Geo
Technical Advisor
Randy C. Turner, P.Geo, is a distinguished professional geologist with over 50 years of unparalleled experience spanning Canadian and international mineral exploration, business, and finance. His extensive career includes 20 years with Esso Minerals Canada and AGIP Mining Ltd., focusing on uranium, gold, and base metals exploration. As President and CEO of multiple successful companies, including Trimin Resources Ltd., Winspear Diamonds Inc., Silver Quest Resources Ltd., and Independence Gold Corp., Mr. Turner has an exceptional track record of value creation. He notably guided Winspear Diamonds Inc. from the discovery of the Snap Lake diamond deposit to its successful sale to De Beers Mining for $305 million. A recipient of the prestigious Hugo Dummett award in 2007 for his profound contributions to diamond exploration, Mr. Turner brings proven leadership in project development, strategic asset realization, and a deep understanding of the full mineral value chain.
Rodney Allen, PhD
Technical Advisor-VMS
Dr. Rodney L. Allen, PhD, is a globally recognized economic geologist with over 40 years of experience in mineral exploration and research, renowned for his profound expertise in Volcanic-hosted Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposits. Holding a PhD and Post-Doctorate from Monash University with a focus on VMS geology, Dr. Allen held senior industry roles, including Manager for Geology Research and Development at the Boliden Group in Sweden. He is currently Consultant Geologist and CEO for Volcanic Resources. Dr. Allen is best known for his practical skills in interpreting the geology of complex ancient volcanic regions and their ore deposits. His geological interpretations have been instrumental in significant VMS discoveries and resource expansions, including over 100 million tonnes of mineral resources at Garpenberg, Sweden. His career exemplifies a direct "research-to-discovery" pipeline, where fundamental geological research directly translates into practical, high-impact discovery successes, providing a strong scientific foundation for Canterra’s VMS strategy.
Stephen Piercey, PhD, P.Geo
Technical Advisor-VMS
Dr. Stephen J. Piercey, PhD, P.Geo, FGC, is a distinguished University Research Professor and Full Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), and a consulting geologist with Piercey Geosciences Inc. With degrees from Memorial University and a PhD from the University of British Columbia, Dr. Piercey is a leading expert in economic geology, specializing in Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS), orogenic gold, and uranium deposits. He is particularly recognized for his groundbreaking work on Newfoundland’s Cambrian-Ordovician VMS systems, including the Buchans-Mary March corridor and other key projects. Dr. Piercey’s expertise encompasses interpreting hydrothermal alteration systems, conducting lithogeochemical surveys, and deploying real-time portable analytical tools for optimizing drill targeting. A prolific author and recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Duncan R. Derry Medal, he provides a strong asset to Canterra, enabling a targeted, applied scientific approach that can yield tangible results.