Athena Gold Corporation (CSE: ATHA) (OTCQB: AHNRF) announced on October 20, 2026, the appointment of Jordan Quinn, P.Geo., as Vice President of Exploration, effective immediately. Quinn transitions from his previous role as the company's Lead Technical Advisor, succeeding Benjamin Kuzmich, P.Geo., who steps down from the VP role but remains with Athena as Lead Technical Advisor in a consulting capacity. The appointment comes as the company prepares to return drills to its Laird Lake project in Ontario's Red Lake Gold District, following the high-grade Scooby Zone discovery.

Key Points

  • Athena Gold Corporation (CSE: ATHA / OTCQB: AHNRF) announced the VP of Exploration appointment on October 20, 2026
  • Jordan Quinn, P.Geo., appointed VP of Exploration effective immediately, succeeding Benjamin Kuzmich, P.Geo.
  • Quinn brings over 10 years of experience, including roles at Newmont, Barrick, and over two years as a production geologist at the Musselwhite Mine
  • Investors may be watching for updates on the return of drilling at the Laird Lake project and further results from the Scooby Zone

Jordan Quinn's Background and Red Lake District Experience

Quinn is a professional geologist with more than 10 years of exploration experience, including roles at major producers Newmont and Barrick, as well as over two years as a production geologist at the Musselwhite Mine. His expertise spans grade control, structural deposit targeting, advanced 3D geological modelling, and large-scale program execution. The release states his hands-on experience in both the Red Lake and Musselwhite camps aligns directly with Athena's active project portfolio, which includes the Laird Lake and Forester projects in northwestern Ontario, and the Excelsior Springs project in Nevada.

Kuzmich's Role in the Scooby Zone Discovery at Laird Lake

Outgoing VP Benjamin Kuzmich was credited in the announcement with driving the targeting that led to the Scooby Zone discovery at the Laird Lake project, as well as the acquisition of both the Laird and Forester projects. Kuzmich will continue with Athena in a consulting capacity as Lead Technical Advisor. The Laird Lake project covers more than 7,000 hectares along more than 10 kilometres of the Balmer-Confederation Assemblage contact, situated approximately 10 kilometres west of West Red Lake Gold's Madsen mine and 34 kilometres northwest of Kinross Gold's Great Bear project.

Drill Program Return to Laird Lake and Scooby Zone Significance

The appointment is timed ahead of an anticipated return of drilling to the Laird Lake project, though no specific start date was confirmed in the announcement. The Scooby Zone was described in the release as a high-grade, near-surface, grassroots gold discovery resulting from the company's maiden drill program at Laird. Quinn characterised the discovery intercept as a statistical outlier with strong geological support. The Forester project, spanning 14,930 hectares less than 30 kilometres southeast of Equinox Gold's Musselwhite Gold Mine, also falls within Quinn's remit.