John earned B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in geology from Acadia University. He holds professional registration as a Professional Engineer, Fellow of the Geological Association of Canada, Chartered Cartographer, as a Canada Lands Surveyor and is registered as a prospector in Nova Scotia. As a member of a 4 generation mining / geology family heritage he fully understands the importance of mining as a creator of employment and economic prosperity.
He retired in 1994 as Principal of the Nova Scotia College of Geographic Sciences where he was an instructor and administrator over some 32 years. Since then he has been fully involved in mineral exploration as a prospector and geologist. John brings over 45 years of administrative, management and project planning experience – with a broad foundation of engineering, geology and related technology skills to his management firm – The GOLDFIELDS Group of Companies. Through this entity he manages the affairs of some 10, private, mineral exploration and renewable energy companies with exploration licenses and projects in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Many of these properties have been optioned or are being jointly developed with Canadian, American and Australian interests.
John was a founding Director and Vice President of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) and has served continuously as a Director of MANS for the past 8 years as well as Chair of the Exploration and Land Access Committee of MANS. In 2013 he was retained by the Nova Scotia Prospectors Association as its Executive Director.
John’s contribution to mining was recognized in 2010 by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources when it presented him with the “Industrial Minerals Man of the Year” award. In 2014 he was presented with the “Presidents Award” by the Mining Association of Nova Scotia.
Current role