Walhalla Gold Corp Names Steve Jukes as New CEO and Director, Initiates Leadership Transition

Steve Jukes’ Extensive Mining Industry Expertise and Leadership

Steve Jukes joins Walhalla Gold with a distinguished 25-year career in the global mining sector, leading the evaluation, development, and delivery of precious, base, and critical minerals projects. His experience spans Australia, Canada, South America, and Asia, covering the full mining lifecycle from exploration and resource definition through feasibility, financing, construction, commissioning, and commercial operations.

His comprehensive background equips him to oversee projects from discovery stages to production assets, aligning with Walhalla Gold’s strategic goals.

Founder of JukesTodd and Leadership Roles at Turner & Townsend

Before joining Walhalla Gold, Jukes founded and led JukesTodd, an international mining advisory and project development firm. Under his leadership, JukesTodd became a globally recognized advisor to major mining companies such as Newmont, Gold Fields, Rio Tinto, and SSR Mining.

Following the acquisition of JukesTodd by Turner & Townsend, Jukes served as Head of Energy & Natural Resources for Australia/New Zealand and later as Global Head of Mining & Minerals, managing the company’s worldwide mining practice.

Project Delivery Across Major Global Mining Operations

Jukes’ project portfolio includes significant involvement in copper, gold, silver, tin, tungsten, and critical minerals developments. Key projects include Winu (Australia), Gibraltar and Moose River (Canada), Cerro Verde (Peru), Çöpler (Türkiye), and Sepon (Laos). His collaborations with top-tier mining firms such as Rio Tinto, Freeport-McMoRan, MMG, Taseko Mines, and OZ Minerals highlight his experience navigating complex regulatory and geological environments.

Technical Credentials and Industry Governance Roles

Jukes is a qualified Mechanical Engineer, providing a strong technical foundation that complements his executive leadership and project delivery expertise. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of Dover Castle Metals Ltd and is a Board Member of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), demonstrating his continued engagement with the mining industry.

Leadership Transition and Board Continuity

With Jukes’ appointment as CEO, Mick Carew has stepped down from the CEO role but remains on the board as a director. This ensures continuity in governance and strategic oversight during the leadership transition.

6 Million Restricted Share Units Granted to Management and Directors

In conjunction with the leadership change, the board approved granting 6,000,000 restricted share units to management and directors. These units vest in stages: 50% after 12 months, 25% after 18 months, and 25% after 24 months, with an exercise period of three years from the grant date. This structure incentivizes sustained performance and management retention.

Overview of Walhalla Gold Project and Asset Highlights

Walhalla Gold owns the Walhalla Gold Project in Victoria, Australia, covering a district-scale 1,230 square kilometers of concessions. The project includes multiple historically significant gold exploration and development areas.

Cohen's Reef, a flagship target, is among the largest and most productive gold-bearing quartz reefs ever discovered in Victoria. Early exploration will focus on identifying repeat structures near historical workings to leverage the reef’s proven productivity.

Greenfield Exploration and Pinnacles Target Development

The project also features high-priority greenfield targets, notably the Pinnacles target. Extensive soil geochemistry has identified a 400m by 1,100m gold-mineralized aplitic dyke with disseminated sulphides exposed at surface.

Pinnacles is fully permitted, accessible, and ready for immediate drilling, positioning the project for rapid advancement in exploration activities aligned with Jukes’ operational expertise.

Strategic Outlook for Walhalla Gold’s Development Path

Jukes’ proven capabilities in project financing, feasibility assessment, and operational development signal Walhalla Gold’s intent to progress the Walhalla Gold Project toward advanced evaluation and potential development stages. The combination of a large land package with both historically productive reefs and permitted greenfield targets supports a systematic exploration and development strategy.

His track record in advancing projects from concept to commercial production aligns with Walhalla Gold’s long-term growth objectives.