In a significant strategic move, ASX-listed miner Dateline Resources has appointed two highly experienced North American mining executives to its board of directors. The company is bringing on George Brack and Phillips Baker Jr as non-executive directors at a pivotal moment for its flagship Colosseum gold-rare earths project in California.
Seasoned Executives to Guide Critical Minerals Strategy
The appointments are designed to provide deep expertise as Dateline progresses the Colosseum project towards a bankable feasibility study (BFS), aiming to transition from explorer to developer. The company is seeking to amplify its United States presence and strengthen its position in both precious and critical minerals.
George Brack brings over three decades of North American mining experience. He is currently the Chair of the Board at Wheaton Precious Metals, a Canadian giant valued at US$53.5 billion (approximately A$80 billion), where he has worked for 16 years. His board experience also includes roles at successful Canadian miners Capstone Copper and Red Back Mining.
Phillips Baker Jr offers a wealth of operational leadership, having served as chief executive officer of Hecla Mining Company for 23 years. During his tenure on Hecla's board, he helped grow the company into the largest primary silver producer in the United States and Canada.
Dateline Resources chairman Mark Johnson welcomed the appointments, stating the company was delighted to bring on two highly respected figures. "Mr. Baker’s experience leading Hecla Mining and Mr. Brack’s extensive background in mining finance and corporate strategy are exactly what we need as we advance the Colosseum project towards production," Johnson said.
Colosseum Project Economics Supercharged by Gold Price
Dateline's flagship asset, the Colosseum gold mine, is located within the Walker Lane geological trend in East San Bernardino County, California. The project already boasts a substantial JORC-2012-compliant mineral resource estimate of 27.1 million tonnes grading 1.26 grams per tonne gold for 1.1 million ounces.
A bankable feasibility study for Colosseum remains on track for completion in the first quarter of 2026. A scoping study released in May 2025 outlined a potentially robust operation, projecting:
- Production of 635,000 ounces of gold over an initial eight-year period.
- Net revenues of US$827 million (A$1.245 billion).
- A net present value (NPV) of US$550 million (A$828 million).
- An impressive internal rate of return (IRR) of 61 per cent.
Notably, that study was based on a gold price of US$2,900 per ounce. With the spot price recently surging to around US$4,393 (A$6,573) per ounce, the project's economics have been substantially enhanced.
In late December 2025, Dateline took a major step to de-risk Colosseum by securing critical water rights and near-mine infrastructure through an option agreement. This provides access to approximately 27 acres of industrial land with four existing buildings and two dedicated groundwater wells expected to supply 100 per cent of the water required for full-scale operations.
Building a Diversified US Critical Minerals Portfolio
Beyond gold, Dateline is aggressively building its critical minerals portfolio. In September 2025, the company acquired the promising Argos strontium project, located about 100 kilometres from Colosseum.
This acquisition is strategically vital as Argos represents the largest known strontium deposit in America and the sole domestic deposit of scale. The United States currently produces no strontium, a metal crucial for electric vehicles, defence ordnance, and the growing space sector.
Dateline plans to drive both the Argos and Colosseum projects forward concurrently to deliver on its goal of supplying minerals critical for US economic and security needs. With the addition of Brack and Baker Jr to provide leadership, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of the Western world's push to secure reliable supplies of essential metals.
