Board & Management

His most recent role was as the founding Managing Director of ASX-Listed New World Resources Limited, where, over seven years, he was instrumental in growing that company from a “shell”, through the acquisition, exploration and development of the high-grade Antler Copper Project in Arizona, USA. In August 2025, following a competitive takeover process, New World was sold to Kinterra Capital Inc. for $245 million. Mr Haynes is also currently a director of Koba Resources Limited (appointed 14 May 2021).

Mr Funston has considerable experience across all facets of the mining cycle, including project acquisition, exploration, discovery, feasibility, financing, construction and operations. Scott has executive-level experience with multiple ASX-listed companies that have operated in a diverse variety of countries and cultures, including Australia, South America, Asia, the USA, and Africa.

Mr Funston spent 12 years as the CFO of Avanco Resources Limited, throughout the exploration, financing and development of the Antas and Pedra Branca Copper Projects in Brazil, and was intimately involved in Avanco’s sale to Oz Minerals Limited for $418 million in 2018.

More recently he has been the CFO of Challenger Gold Limited and Wia Gold Limited. Both these companies are at advanced stages of financing and developing large gold resources.

He has global experience having worked on projects located in Canada, the US and Africa.

With 50 years of experience in the resources industry. Mr. Billingsley holds a Bachelor of Science Advanced degree in geology from the University of Saskatchewan, in Canada. He also obtained his Chartered Accountant designation and currently also holds designations as both a Professional Engineer and Professional Geoscientist. Mr. Billingsley has held several operational and corporate roles from Chief Mine Geologist to President and CEO of both small and large public companies. Besides a strong technical background, he has extensive experience on the corporate financial side including fundraising and serving on board committees including Audit, Compensation, Corporate Governance and Environment, Health and Safety committees. His public company experience covers commodities including oil and gas, base metals, gold, diamonds, uranium, potash, and rare earths.

Some highlights of Mr Billingsley’s career include leading the team that put Saskatchewan’s largest gold mine into production, still producing after 31 years; discovering several diamond-bearing kimberlites in Saskatchewan, one of which has now completed final feasibility; playing a major role in taking a junior potash company public, that was subsequently purchased by BHP; and establishing one of the first companies to recognize the importance of developing rare earth projects outside of China including downstream capacity.