Board of Directors & Officers

Mr. James is a geologist and business executive with over 40 years of technical and financial experience in the natural resource sector throughout North America, Africa and Asia.  He has spearheaded TVIRD’s activities in the Philippines since 1993 and was responsible for bringing on stream the Canatuan gold-silver mine – the first foreign-funded, modern, full-scale producing mine in the Philippines since the passage of the Mining Act in 1995.

His tireless efforts continue to drive TVIRD’s commitment to transparent, environmentally and socially responsible mining practices that bring sustainable development to the company’s host communities.  Mr. James earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and graduated with honors from the University of Western Ontario in Canada.  He likewise holds a Master of Science degree in Geology from the Carleton University in Ottawa and has taken doctorate studies at the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Villar is Chairman and President of Prime Asset Ventures Inc., which is a major shareholder in TVIRD through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Prime Resource Holdings Inc.  He concurrently serves as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. – after previously holding the Chief Financial Officer position – as well as Director of Starmall Inc.

Prior to assuming his previous role as consultant for McKinsey & Co. in the U.S., Mr. Villar earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics as well as his Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania.

Atty. Mateo is a lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant with 35 years of experience as senior finance and management executive in various companies.

He joined TVI as vice president for finance and administration in 1995.  At this time, TVI was pursuing a number of projects in the Philippines, including the Canatuan Mining Project, the drilling operations of its subsidiary company and a number of exploration activities.  He had the opportunity to study the project feasibility of the Canatuan Mine and presented it for possible financing to local and foreign investment bankers.  In January 2005, Atty. Mateo was appointed President of TVIRD – the Philippine affiliate company of TVI Pacific Inc. that operates the Canatuan Mining Project.  He was also elected president of various subsidiaries under the TVI Group of Companies.

From 1998 to 2004, Atty. Mateo served as a member of the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission and as chairman of the PRC Accounting Licensure and Regulatory Board from 2001 onwards.