Advisory Board

Dr. Maria Skyllas-Kazacos, Consulting Scientist

Professor Skyllas-Kazacos is well known worldwide as the scientific researcher and pioneer who is credited with the invention of the Vanadium Redox Battery (now, commonly referred to as “the VRB”). Professor Skyllas-Kazacos’ pioneering work included the basis research, through the development of all aspects (including electrolyte production, novel plastic electrodes, new modified membranes, mathematical modeling and design) of battery technology and components, to prototype testing and manufacturing trials in conjunction with industrial licenses

The Vanadium Redox battery which Professor Skyllas-Kazacos pioneered is now regarded internationally as one of the most feasible technologies currently available to meet the growing need for efficient renewable energy storage to help in the global reduction of fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To date more than 20 medium to large-scale VRB systems have been installed by Sumitomo Electric Industries in Japan, USA, Europe and Australia for the storage of wind and solar energy and for load leveling at power stations and back-up power. The largest of these is a 4 MW/6 MWh VRB integrated to a wind-farm on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Several companies are now manufacturing or are in the process of setting up production of the VRB in China and Europe, while a grant from the US Department of Energy was awarded for the installation of a 6 MWh VRB installation at the Painesville Municipal Power Plant in Ohio using the UNSW technology.

In 2001, the new “Generation 2” Vanadium Bromide Redox Cell was patented by the University of NSW and funding was received from the Victorian government funded Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies and from the Australian government’s Renewable Energy Development Initiative fund to further develop the technology as a high energy density flow battery for both stationary and mobile applications. Collaborative research in this area is currently being undertaken with Nanyang Technical University in Singapore.

Professor Skyllas-Kazacos, in addition to her work in the area of the Vanadium Redox Battery, has a vast amount of experience in other sectors of research as well. Her work to date has led to the authoring and filing of 250 publications and patents in the areas of:

§  Vanadium Battery Research: which has resulted in today’s leading edge Vanadium Redox Battery technology currently being utilized worldwide.

§  Lithium battery and Fuel Cell technology: including new research activities in lithium ion batteries and biofuel which began on 2001 at UNSW.  In collaboration with ANSTO, a range of novel lithium battery electrode materials have been evaluated for improved intercalation ratios and reversibility. Work is also being undertaken on the development of improved catalysts for methanol oxidation and membrane modification for direct methanol fuel cell applications.

§  Aluminium Electrowinning, Mineral Extraction and Molten Salts: This work has been funded by grants from Comalco (Rio Tinto), the Australian Research Council and more recently the CSIRO Light Metals Flagship. Studies include aluminium electrowinning in cryolite and alternative electrolytes, inert anodes and inert cathodes for aluminium electrolysis. Other projects have included:

-       Electrochemical studies of aluminium deposition and dissolution at graphite, tungsten, titanium diboride and TiB₂/C composite and granulometry on anode overvoltage in aluminium smelting process.

-       Determination of bath resistivities, bubble layer resistivities and gaseous volume fraction in aluminium electrolysis cells with sloping anodes and cathode.

-       Electrochemical studies of dissolved aluminium in molten Al₂O₃ / cryolite.

-       Electrochemical studies of wettability of sintered TiB₂ and TiB₂/C composite electrodes in molten Al₂O₃/cryolite.  Effect of TiO₂ and B₂O₃ additions on the aluminium deposition reaction at graphite electrodes in molten Al₂O₃/cryolite.

-       Preparation and evaluation of inert anodes based on cermet composite materials to eliminate the generation of carbon dioxide

-       Anode effect studies for greenhouse gas reduction in aluminium smelting

-       Wear resistant cathodes for aluminium electrowinning

-       Advanced Control and process modelling for the aluminium reduction cell.

§  Electrochemical Engineering and Electrochemical Cell Design, including:

-       Modelling and simulation of electrochemical reactors

-       Bipolar cell design and evaluation

-       Industrial prototype design, testing and optimisation

-       Precipitation mechanisms and kinetics; effects of additives and impurities on precipitation processes and crystal morphology.

A list of Professor Skyllas-Kazacos’ vast credits would include a total of over 130 papers in international refereed journal, 2 Book Chapters, more than 35 patents or patent applications, 75 full conference papers, and 17 major reports. She has also edited and published 9 Conference Proceedings and jointly produced 2 CDRoms of Conference papers.

Professor Skyllas-Kazacos’ career has provided her the opportunity and pleasure to supervise 25 PhD and Master’s thesis students to completion. Maria is currently supervising 7 PhD students, 3 Honours thesis students, 2 research fellows, and 2 research students; all in addition to her own ongoing research and endeavours.

Academic Qualifications:

Ø  1974     BSc (Hons 1) Industrial Chemistry, The University of New South Wales

Ø  1974     University Medal

Ø  1978     PhD, School of Chemical Technology, The University of New South Wales

Professional Affiliations:

§  Fellow, Institution of Engineers, Australia

§  Fellow, Royal Australian Chemical Institute

§  Member, Electrochemical Society of USA

§  Chartered Professional Engineer

Awards and Medals

Ø  University Medal, 1974

Ø  Whiffen Medal, Institution of Chemical Engineers Australia, 1997

Ø  CHEMECA Medal, Institution of Chemical Engineers Australia, 1998

Ø  Member of the Order of Australia, Australia Day Honours List 1999

Ø  R.K. Murphy Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute, 2000

Ø  Invested as Grand Lady of the Byzantine Order of St Eugene of Trebizond (Australia Day, 2009)

Ø  Recipient Distinguished Lecturer Award, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Richland, UNSW, 2009.

Ø  Co-Recipient, 2009 Light Metals Division Journal of Metals Best Paper Award

Employment:

§  2007- present:   Emeritus Professor, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, UNSW

§  2005-2010:        Honorary Technical advisor, V-Fuel Pty Ltd

§  2004-present:   Honorary Technical advisor, Magnam Technologies Pty Ltd

§  1993- 2007        Professor, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, UNSW

§  2000-2006         Director, Centre for Electrochemical and Minerals Processing, UNSW.

§  1987-1993         Associate Professor, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, UNSW

§  1982-1987         Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, UNSW

§  1980-1981         Queen Elizabeth II Postdoctoral Research Fellow in School of Physics, UNSW

§  1978-1979         CSIRO Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Bell Telephone Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ, USA

Gaston Gagnon, PEng - Professional Mining Engineer

Mr. Gagnon, a graduate of Université Laval, is a professional mining engineer with 37 years of extensive domestic and international experience in the industry; including mineral exploration, mine feasibility, open-pit/underground operations, smelting and refining.

During the last five years Mr. Gagnon has worked with SGS, one of the world’s largest engineering/consulting firms.  Prior to that, Mr. Gagnon served for 3 years with SNC-Lavelin Inc. as Construction Manager, Mining and Metallurgy Division. Located in Saudi Arabia, his responsibilities at that time included construction of a gold mine for state-owned MA’ADEN Saudi Arabian Company: he served as the SNC-Lavalin site manager for an EPCM Contract involving a concentrator for copper, gold and zinc with all surface services. The Client was MA’ADEN, a state-owned company.

From 2000 through 2004 Mr. Gagnon was a mining consultant providing engineering studies for economic value and development of mining projects located in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. He provided services to Met-Chem Canada regarding engineering work for the design, review, and feasibility of underground mines for the Tamborague Project in Peru and the Tulawaka Project in Tanzania. For Louvem Mines Inc. his responsibilities were to review the underground conditions of the Beaufor Mines in Val d’Or area, Quebec where mining was interrupted in August 2000. He provided a new interpretation and a revision of the shaft and surface pillar systems.

Between 1964 and 2000 Mr. Gagnon worked throughout the world on various projects including:

• As Vice-President  Exploitation, Velardeña Mine where he participated in the exploitation and mechanization of a 450 t/d underground silver and gold mine in the Velardeña Area, Mexico.
• For CCAD (Comisión Centro Americana de Desarollo) he provided technical assistance for the study of new mining policies in Central America, related to the sustainable development and the respect of the environment. This assistance was sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
• For Met-Chem Canada he undertook a Feasibility Study of the Niocan (Niobium of Canada) Project, Oka, Quebec, Canada.
• As Vice president of Procoloro Colombia he carried out the mining development and exploration of an underground gold deposit in Antioquia, totally owned by Val d’Or Procoloro Resources, and was in charge of the general exploration and diamond drilling in the area.
• For the Ministry of Mines and Geology he undertook a 2-years contract with Minorex of Montreal sponsored by the African Development Bank to work at the Ministry of Mines and Geology of Guinea; 1) for the revision of their Mining Rules, 2) Revision and publication in a new Mining Code, 3) Creation of a centre for the development and promotion of mines, and 4) Studies and recommendations for gold and diamond small scale exploitations.
• As Vice president and Director of Exploration with Aurtec Mining Development Gaston evaluated various partially developed projects; primarily the: Bakoudou (Gabon) alluvial gold deposit and the Kodieran (Mali) primary and alluvial gold deposits.
• While General Manager of Exploitation with Philips, Baratt, Kaiser of Vancouver and Sodimiza he represented the owners for all the official functions with respect to production, sale of the concentrates, and trade-union negotiation. He coordinated the social services; medical private clinics, and schools, etc.
• For Louvem Inc. he served as; Mine Manager (Chimo Mine), and Chief Engineer (Louvem)
• Mr. Gagnon served Minexpert Inc. as a Project Manager.
•  For Atlas, G-M Guest Construction Mr. Gagnon, as Project Manager and Technical Director was responsible for; 1) the construction of a 200 km, 735-kV power line in the James Bay area, and 2) the excavation of a 5-km subway contract (Lines 2 and 5) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Served as the General Manager and Chief Engineer for SLC – St. Lawrence Columbium & Metals Corporation a company that was producing a pyrochlore concentrate and ferro-columbium alloy from a 2,000-t/d underground mine.

Mehmet Taner, Consulting Geologist and Mineralogist

Dr. Mehmet Taner is a Consulting Geologist and Mineralogist with more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry. He is a practicing member of the “Order des Geologues du Quebec” and received his degrees in Switzerland specifically: Ph.D. in Geology and Mineralogy, University of Geneva, Switzerland – 1976; M.Sc. in Geological Engineering (Geostatistics), University of Geneva, Switzerland – 1974; and B.Sc. in Geology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland (Geology and Geophysics) – 1971. Mehmet is best known for his work on the Vanadium-Titanium occurrences in the Matagami region of Quebec. Dr. Taner was also responsible for spearheading the International Symposium on Vanadium which was held in 2002 in Montreal. He has published over 30 papers in revered journals and produced over 200 technical reports and presentations.

From 1977–1982, Dr. Taner served as the Chief Geologist in the Economic Geology Division, of the Geological Survey of Turkey. During this time he also put his knowledge to work as Associate Professor in charge of teaching mineralogy at the University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey. This important role prepared him well for his move to the position of Research Scientist with Ecole Polytechnique, IREM-MERI in Montreal, Canada. In 1986 his services were enlisted by Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources, as he was chosen Chief of an exploration team assembled to map the Juillet Lake area east of the Labrador Trough.

Between 1991 and 1997 Mehmet applied his knowledge to the Selbaie Mine, owned by Billiton Metals Canada. He was hired as an Exploration Geologist and Consulting Mineralogist and participated heavily in their underground development planning, and mapping. His contribution to the description of the Selbaie type volcanogenic polymetallic Cu, Zn, Ag and Au ore deposits by developing new litho geochemical methods and employing data compilation proved tremendously beneficial. It should also be noted that thanks to Mehmet’s mineralogical studies on mill feed ore, the metallurgical performance of the Selbaie concentrator was greatly advanced.

One of Mehmet’s more noble accomplishments lies in his volunteer work as a Research Scientist and Mineralogist with the Canadian Museum of Nature, located in Ottawa Ontario, Canada. In collaboration with Dr.T. Scott Ercit, and Dr. Joel Grice, Dr.Taner has been involved in several research projects for the museum focusing mainly on the mineralogy of vanadium-bearing magnetite, from the Matagami and Chibougamau mining districts in Quebec.

Apella considers Dr. Taner a tremendous compliment to our team as Apella goes forward with our world class Vanadium-Titanium-Iron projects.

Gerald G. Gereghty, Geophysicist

Mr. Gerald Gereghty is a well-respected, independent "Geophysical Survey Consultant" based out of Sudbury, Ontario, who has 48 years experience in the mining exploration business. He has been responsible for the discovery of several significant ore bodies. Mr. Gereghty brings a wealth of experience to the Company.

• 45 years in mining exploration
• 31 years as Inco Limited's magnetic surveying specialist
• credited with several notable mineral discoveries
• presently a independent Geophysical Survey Consultant
• graduate of Sudbury Mining and Technical school, 1949

Mr. Gereghty has been an independent Geophysical Survey Consultant since leaving Inco Limited (the world's largest Nickel producer) in 1989. During his 31 years with Inco, Mr. Gereghty led Inco crews to locating two mineable ore bodies. In addition, the crews led by Mr. Gereghty were credited with locating two potential nickel deposits in the Moak-Setting Belt, Manitoba.

While with Inco Limited, he served as Administrator, Geophysical Services. Mr. Gereghty conducted training seminars for Inco's Joint Venture partner's geophysical personnel on site in Canada, USA, and Mexico. He conducted correspondence courses for the employees of Inco in Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Africa and Australia.

Mr. Gereghty also instructed geophysical courses at Nicolet College, Wisconsin for American Copper Nickel. Since leaving Inco in 1989, Inco has retained his services on a contractual basis on several of their projects.

More recently, Mr. Gereghty personally, did much of the early geophysical surveying on the renowned "Musselwhite" joint venture in northwestern Ontario, leading to the discovery of several potential gold deposits. He also had considerable input into the geophysical surveying on the "original" Casa Berrardi gold deposit discovery.

In 1988, Mr. Gereghty was credited with the discovery of an important gold discovery, using Induced Polarization (IP) surveying, near Whale Cove, N.W.T.

In 1991, he conducted the geophysical surveys for Fort Knox Gold Resources and Inco leading to their discovery of a nickel-copper deposit in Fawcett Township, Shiningtree, Ontario. Very recently, Mr. Gereghty has been carrying out geophysical testing and gravity surveying on the discoveries announced by both Nuinsco Resources near Rainy River, Ontario and Flag Resources near Sudbury, Ontario. Flag Resources make special note of Mr. Gereghty's involvement in their July 25/96 press release.

Mr. Gereghty is very experienced with virtually all of today's geophysical surveying techniques, equipment and technology. He has been involved in the staking and exploring of thousands of mining claims in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. In latter years with Inco, Mr. Gereghty was responsible for Inco's exploration contracts re: diamond drilling, claim staking, line cutting, helicopter and fixed wing services and geophysical survey contracts as well as many other details pertaining to properties and exploration. Apella benefits greatly from Mr. Gereghty's contribution to our exploration activities.

Mr. Gereghty has personally participated in Apella's exploration programs on Apella's previous"Golden Vista" and "Golden Poly", advanced gold/polymetallic exploration projects, south of Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

Stewart J. Carmichael, Geologist

Stewart J. Carmichael is an accomplished, Canadian consulting geologist based out of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. He joined Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. in April, 2002 as Chief Exploration Geologist. Co-winner of the 2006 Ontario Prospectors Award, in recognition of the discovery of the South Miner Complex at the Macassa Mine in Kirkland Lake. He contributes a wealth of knowledge in exploration environments with over 25 years experience in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.

He holds a B.Sc.Geology (1982) from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario and was granted a Fellowship with the Geological association of Canada in 1989. He is also a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.

Mr. Carmichael has carried out numerous noteworthy projects, some of which were;

• Surface mapping the Barrick Gold properties, now the prolific Holt McDermott Mine (1 M ounces).
• underground development on advanced stage Golden Harker Gold Project, north of Kirkland Lake, ON.
• two years on the Goldfields advanced exploration project in Uranium City, Saskatchewan.

Mr. Carmichael has more than 15 years experience on exploration projects throughout Canada's prolific Abitibi Belt, specifically in the Kirkland Lake, Timmins and Casa Berrardi Gold Camps. He has worked on projects in Ontario, Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. Stewart has worked for many of Canada's leading exploration and mining companies, such as Barrick Gold, Queenston Mining, Armistice Resources, RJK Explorations, Greater Lenora, Abitibi Mining, Sedex Mining and Gold Coral Resources.

James A. MacLeod, Explorationist

Mr. James MacLeod, a resident of Mistissini, Quebec, is well known and respected in the mineral industry throughout Canada as a mining exploration technologist. Mr. MacLeod specializes in the area of mineral exploration, including prospecting, claim staking, line cutting, geophysical instrumentation and camp construction and management.

As President of Cree Gold Inc. and J.A. MacLeod Explorations, Mr. MacLeod is very familiar with the management and development of exploration companies. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Mistissini Geological Resources Centre, Cree Gold Inc., Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association and various other junior mining companies. Mr. MacLeod is currently Project Coordinator of the Mistissini Geological Resources Centre and has worked closely with native communities as a consultant on projects and training in mining exploration.

Mr. MacLeod is trained as an RCMP Native Police Officer and with the Quebec Provincial Police and served as Chief of Police with the Mistissini Police Force from 1972 through 1987. He is a member of the Quebec Prospectors Association, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Canadian Institute of Mining and the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association. His wealth of mining knowledge, experience, expertise and industry contacts will prove invaluable as our Company explores and develops projects and possibilities in Canada.

Michael Cameron, Justice of the Peace

Mr. Michael Cameron is a resident of Salluit, Quebec, a community situated in northern Quebec. Residing in the region, he speaks fluent English and Inuktitut. Mr. Cameron is the region's Justice of the Peace/Court Clerk and has been entrusted extended powers and authority above those extended to other Justices in other Districts. Until recently he served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Qaqqalik Landholding Corporation. His extensive knowledge of the environment, geography, politics and people of Canada's far north, specifically northern Quebec, will prove invaluable to the Company in its goal to discover and develop mineral deposits in the region. Having worked with Air Inuit (1985) Ltd., Mr. Cameron gained extensive knowledge of the air logistics and flight staging in the far north which plays a significant role in the exploration endeavours of Apella.

Mr. Cameron has been trained in search and rescue, telecommunications, and the building of temporary runways and helipads while serving with the Canadian Rangers under the Ministry of Defence and during employment as a technician with Bell Canada. On a personal level, Mr. Cameron is a very well-known and respected citizen of Canada's far north and active in all community facets ranging from serving as President of the Education Committee, Fire Chief, recruiting and training of firefighting personnel, school bus services, and Post Master fulfillment. Mr. Cameron assisted Apella in the area of logistics and planning for the Company's 1997 and 1998 exploration programs.