Surge Copper Announces Appointment of Mark Wheeler as VP Projects

Rhea-AI Summary

Surge Copper Corp. (OTCQX: SRGXF) has appointed Mark Wheeler as Vice President, Projects, to spearhead technical studies and environmental permitting for the Ootsa and Berg properties in British Columbia. Wheeler brings 17 years of experience, including roles at major mining operations and leading successful environmental permitting processes. The company also granted 200,000 stock options to employees at an exercise price of $0.31, set to expire in five years. This leadership change is seen as instrumental for advancing Surge's project activities.

Positive

• Appointment of Mark Wheeler, a Professional Mining Engineer with 17 years of experience, may strengthen project execution and environmental permitting.
• Wheeler's history includes leading technical programs and successful engagement with Indigenous Nations, enhancing stakeholder relations.

Negative

• Potential concerns regarding the transition and continuity within the leadership team as new management steps in.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Dec. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surge Copper Corp. (TSXV: SURG) (OTCQX: SRGXF) (Frankfurt: G6D2) (“Surge” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Wheeler as Vice President, Projects. Mr. Wheeler will lead the Company’s various technical studies and environmental permitting efforts as the Company continues to advance its Ootsa and Berg Properties located in central British Columbia.

Highlights

• Mr. Wheeler is a Professional Mining Engineer with 17 years of diverse experience spanning operations management, leading PEA and PFS level technical studies, and playing a lead role in a successful environmental permitting process under the Canadian Federal Environmental Assessment process, including the social engagement process with multiple Indigenous Nations
• Relevant operational experience at large mining operations including Teck’s Quebrada Blanca mine in northern Chile and Barrick’s Williams Mine in Ontario
• Relevant senior corporate experience involving marketing and due diligence processes for financing and M&A
  
  

Leif Nilsson, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are delighted to have Mark join Surge at this important time for the Company. With multiple critical path project activities planned and underway, including technical engineering studies, metallurgical testwork, long lead time environmental data gathering, and stakeholder engagement, Mark’s experience and proven track record will be a significant asset to Surge.”

Mr. Wheeler is a Professional Mining Engineer with 17 years of experience in operations and senior project engineering roles. Most recently, Mr. Wheeler spent ten years with Treasury Metals Inc., where he led multiple technical programs including resource estimates, design inputs and project management to advance Treasury’s project from a maiden resource to a PFS level of study, and technical due diligence in support of growth-focused acquisitions. In this role, Mr. Wheeler also led the start to finish completion of a Canadian Federal EA process including all technical aspects, scoping and execution of baseline work, and engagement with multiple Indigenous Nations. Mr. Wheeler holds a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering from Queen’s University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

The board has approved the grant of 200,000 options to certain employees of the Company. The options have been granted pursuant to the Company’s stock option plan, and are subject to vesting provisions, have an exercise price of $0.31 per share, and expire five years from the grant date.

About Surge Copper Corp.

The Company owns a 100% interest in the Ootsa Property, an advanced stage exploration project containing the East Seel, West Seel and Ox porphyry deposits located adjacent to the open pit Huckleberry Copper Mine, owned by Imperial Metals. The Ootsa Property contains pit constrained NI 43-101 compliant resources of copper, gold, molybdenum, and silver in the Measured and Indicated categories.

The Company is also earning into a 70% interest in the Berg Property from Centerra Gold. Berg is a large, advanced stage exploration project located 28 km northwest of the Ootsa deposits. Berg contains pit constrained 43-101 compliant resources of copper, molybdenum, and silver in the Measured and Indicated categories. Combined, the adjacent Ootsa and Berg properties give Surge a dominant land position in the Ootsa-Huckleberry-Berg district and control over four advanced porphyry deposits.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

“Leif Nilsson”
Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:
Riley Trimble, Corporate Communications & Development
Telephone: +1 604 416 2978
Email: info@surgecopper.com
Twitter: @SurgeCopper
LinkedIn: Surge Copper Corp
https://www.surgecopper.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "will", "may", "should", "expects", "plans", or "anticipates" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the Company’s plans regarding the Berg Property and the Ootsa Property. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and risks may include, among others, actual results of the Company's exploration activities being different than those expected by management, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals, the ability to obtain adequate financing to conduct its planned exploration programs, inability to procure labour, equipment and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis, equipment breakdown, impacts of the current coronavirus pandemic, and bad weather. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith, and reflect the Company's current judgment regarding the direction of its business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions, or other future performance suggestions herein. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

FAQ

Who is Mark Wheeler and what is his role at Surge Copper Corp.?

Mark Wheeler has been appointed as Vice President, Projects at Surge Copper, responsible for leading technical studies and environmental permitting.

What experience does Mark Wheeler bring to Surge Copper Corp.?

Wheeler has 17 years of experience in mining operations and project management, including significant roles in environmental permitting and Indigenous engagement.

What are the key projects Mark Wheeler will oversee?

Wheeler will oversee technical studies and environmental permitting for the Ootsa and Berg properties in British Columbia.

How many stock options were granted by Surge Copper Corp.?

Surge Copper Corp. granted 200,000 stock options to employees, with an exercise price of $0.31 per share.

What implications does Mark Wheeler's appointment have for Surge Copper Corp.?

Wheeler's appointment is expected to enhance project progress and stakeholder engagement, critical for the company's growth.