Technical Advisors

Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer, M.Sc.

Technical Advisor

Bud is an economic geologist who has been actively involved in mineral exploration for 37 years and has a proven record of discovery. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.A. in Geology and from San Diego State University with an M.Sc. in Geology. Bud has conducted extensive exploration programs in the western United States, Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica. He has worked with an array of clients, including Kennecott, Meridian Gold, BHP, Mount Isa Mines, Hecla Mining, Crown Resources, Monarch Resources, Silver SSR Mining, Canplats Resources, and The Electrum Group.

Perry Durning, B.Sc.

Technical Advisor

Perry is an economic geologist who has been actively involved in mineral exploration for over 50 years and has focused much of his career on grassroots exploration in pioneering areas. He graduated with a B.Sc. in geology from San Diego State University and an M.Sc. in Economic Geology from the University of Arizona. Perry has worked extensively throughout the western United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. He worked for Amax Exploration, SAGE Associates, and Occidental Minerals before becoming exploration manager and then president of Fischer-Watt Gold Co.

Perry (centre) and Bud (right) received the prestigious Thayer Lindsley Award for International Mineral Discoveries in 2010. The Award is presented annually by the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada in memory of Thayer Lindsley, one of the greatest mine finders.

 Above: Joe Hinzman (left) presenting Perry Durning (center) and Bud Hillemeyer with the Thayer Lindsley Award

After having worked together for over a decade at Fisher-Watt Gold Co., Perry and Bud formed La Cuesta International, Inc. in 1993 and are recognized for their outstanding record of grassroots discoveries that collectively amount to over a billion ounces of silver and 10 million ounces of gold and include the:

San Sebastian Silver-Gold Project, Mexico – owned by Hecla Mining.

San Augustin Gold-Silver Project, Mexico – owned by Heliostar Metals.

Pitarrilla Silver Project, Mexico - owned by Endeavour Silver.

Camino Rojo Gold Mine, Mexico - owned by Orla Mining.

Cerro Los Gatos Mine, Mexico – owned by First Majestic Silver (70%) and Dowa Metals & Mining (30%).