About Zephyr Minerals
Zephyr Minerals, Inc is a holding company with ownership interests three mineral properties and controlling interest in Welsh Hagen Associates, Inc, an engineering servce consulting company, and Veterans Brigade, a miner training company for military veterans. Senior management of Zephyr and each of its subsidiaries is provided by John D. Welsh, P.E., a seasoned mining professional.
John Welsh
John received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Missouri – Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) in 1970, following a tour in Viet Nam as an infantry platoon leader in 1968. His first job in mining was inspecting the installation of an underground crushing complex at the Climax Molybdenum Mine near Leadville, Colorado. He then became the Tailing Project Manager and Plant Construction Engineer in 1977 until he left to earn a Masters’ Degree in Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering at Colorado State University. In 1980, his mining career continued as Manager of Robertson Pincock in Tucson, AZ, followed by becoming President of Steffen Robertson and Kirsten (USA) in Lakewood, CO until 1983 when he accepted a contract position in Clearlake, CA as QA/QC Manager for Homestake Mining Company during the construction of the McLaughlin Mine. John moved to Reno and started his predecessor company, J.D. Welsh and Associates in 1984. In 1985, Welsh Construction was formed with its office and equipment yard located in Winnemucca, NV. Between 1984 and 1998, Welsh was involved in the design or construction of the following mines:
- Sleeper
- Coeur Rochester
- Florida Canyon
- McCoy
- Borealis
- Twin Creeks
- Rabbit Creek
- Hycroft
- Getchell
- Pinson
- Relief Canyon
- Lone Tree
- Silver Peak
- Hayden Hill
- Wind Mountain
- Atlas Gold Bar
- Santa Fe
- Tonkin Springs
- Rawhide
- T.S. Ranch Dam
- Wood Gulch
- Fondaway Canyon
- Hog Ranch
- Aurora (Esmeralda)
- Illipah
- Buckhorn
- Pine Grove
- C.R. Briggs
Douglas Willis, C.P.G. – Senior Geologist
Mr. Willis is a Certified Professional Geologist with over 21 years experience in the mineral exploration and mining industry. After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from California State University, Chico in 1987, Doug began a 7-year career with the Great Basin Exploration Division of ASARCO Inc. Doug conducted reconnaissance and development mineral exploration, property evaluations, land status evaluations and drill program supervision throughout the western United States. After 13 years in the land surveying industry, Doug joined Welsh Hagen Associates in 2008. Mr. Willis’ expertise is in the preparation of NI 43-101 Technical Reports. He has contributed to and authored Technical Reports, including Preliminary Economic Assessments and Pre-feasibility Studies, on multiple exploration and development stage properties in the western United States. Doug’s forte at Welsh Hagen Associates also includes the preparation of State and Federal mining and exploration permit applications including NEPA compliance documents, water pollution control permit applications, plans of operation, reclamation plans, notice level exploration permits and land status evaluations.
Zephyr’s other active board members are John C. Todd and Timothy D. Salyer. John Todd is a retired chemical sales executive who specialized in supplying chemicals to the mining industry such as cyanide, hydrogen peroxide, and caro’s acid. John was instrumental in getting liquid cyanide introduced and accepted by the Nevada mining industry and is actively involved in mine-related outreach for the industry. Tim Salyer is a retired concrete flooring specialist and is active in assisting Zephyr with financing for property acquisitions and development.