| Our team

Executive Director & CEO

Arrowtown-based Damian is a highly experienced Mining Engineer and a fellow of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), he also holds a First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate. He has vast experience in the precious metals sectors in New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, in executive management roles as well as senior consulting roles.  

Damian’s more recent experience has involved integrating mining operations with environmental, community and regulatory compliance in New Zealand. 

Executive Director - Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs

Sam is a mining engineer with broad experience in open pit and underground mining disciplines.

He has worked extensively for contracting and mining companies at projects throughout Australia and overseas, and has also held significant executive roles, including CEO of Breaker Resources Limited where he was an integral part of the successful merger with Ramelius Resources Limited.

Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer

Craig holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Queensland and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

He has twenty years of financial management experience, and has held significant roles with numerous ASX and TSX listed companies.

Study Manager

Rod is a qualified mining engineer with an MBA and a First Class Mine Manager’s certificate, both in WA and New Zealand.

Rod has worked as an underground miner, supervisor, Mining Manager (Underground and Open Pit) and General Manager.

Based in New Zealand since 2009 he has vast experience in the local mining industry having managed the feasibility study for Macraes’ underground, prior to managing both the underground and open pit mines at Macraes, as well as taking on the role of Group Technical Services manager with OceanaGold.

Rod has notably led the Frasers Underground (NZ), Didipio (Philippines), Wassa (Ghana) and Voshkhod (Kazakhstan) projects all from technical study, through financing, construction and into production.

Environment Manager

Mary is based in Cromwell and has over 25 years of environmental management experience in the Australian mining industry, working in gold, iron ore, construction, research, policy and consultancy sectors.

Mary also worked extensively in the New Zealand food industry in environmental management, community engagement, and research and process areas.

Geology Manager

Alex is an experienced mining professional with 20 years of expertise in gold, copper and zinc mining.  He has held senior operational roles in mine geology and exploration, specialising in mine start-ups and geology systems development and implementation. 

Prior to joining Santana, Alex was Vice-President of Geology and Exploration for Lion One Metals in Fiji.  Over the course of his career, Alex has held leadership roles at major tier-one deposits in Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

In his current role, Alex's oversees all geological aspects of the project development and exploration across the company’s tenements. He holds a Bachelor of Science in geology from the University of Otago and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG).

Commercial Manager

After a celebrated 25 year career in Banking & Finance, Tony moved into the mining sector where he has overseen continued process improvement and change management in supply logistics, shipping, Corporate and Minesite Accounting, predominately in the gold sector.

Executive Support Manager

Polly is based in Cromwell and brings over 25 years of experience in sales and customer delivery to Santana, along with a strong track record of community engagement.

Prior to joining Santana Minerals, Polly served as Parliamentary Team Leader to both the Member for Southland and Member for Waitaki and has previously held roles in international travel consultancy and rural banking.

Engagement Manager

Vicki has over a decade of communications and community engagement experience across disaster recovery, quarrying, and on-roading and infrastructure projects.

Vicki was raised in Cromwell and attended local primary and high schools. After some time spent away for university and work opportunities, she was drawn back to Central Otago and is now raising her own family here.