Green technology recycler Itronics Inc., Reno, Nev., maker of Gold’n Gro fertilizer, said on May 7 that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Whitney & Whitney Inc., has expanded its management team by hiring John Key, an experienced mining executive, to manage Itronics’ development projects and to take a leadership role in converting Whitney & Whitney’s partially-owned subsidiary, Auric Gold & Minerals Inc., into an operating company.
Key has been appointed Vice President, Projects, for Whitney & Whitney, and President and Chief Operating Officer for Auric Gold & Minerals. He will take the lead in obtaining financing for and implementing a Phase I drilling program for the Auric Fulstone exploration project at the newly discovered Golden Valley prospect, a gold, silver, zinc, and copper project in northwestern Nevada.
Key has served stints at Pine Point Mining Ltd., and as Operating General Manager with Teck Cominco, formerly Cominco Ltd. Itronics said operations managed include Red Dog, the world’s largest zinc mine; Polaris Mine, 60 km from the magnetic north pole; and an underground lead/zinc mine at Magmont in Missouri.