Perpetua Resources (TSX: PPTA) bolsters senior leadership as Stibnite Gold Project enters development phase

Perpetua Resources Corp. (TSX: PPTA, Nasdaq: PPTA) has taken a strategic step toward full-scale development of the Stibnite Gold Project by appointing four seasoned executives to its leadership team. The new hires come as the company advances early works construction at one of the most geopolitically significant mining projects in the United States, with a final investment decision expected in spring 2026.

The Idaho-based developer, which aims to restore a legacy mine while producing gold and antimony for defense and commercial applications, announced the additions of Jim Norine as Senior Vice President of Projects, Tim Kahl as Senior Vice President of Technical Services, Dustin Rissmiller as Vice President of Human Resources, and Joe Fazzini as Vice President of Investor Relations. These leadership reinforcements reflect Perpetua Resources Corp.’s shift from permitting and capital raising to construction execution and institutional investor engagement.

President and Chief Executive Officer Jon Cherry said the expansion supports the company’s next phase of development and underscores its commitment to environmental restoration, domestic critical mineral production, and rural job creation in Idaho. The Stibnite Gold Project is the only known source of mined antimony in the United States, a material deemed essential for munitions, defense systems, and supply chain resilience.

Why is Perpetua Resources accelerating executive hires as it prepares for final investment?

Perpetua Resources Corp. has already cleared major regulatory milestones following more than nine years of environmental permitting and federal review. In October 2025, the company officially broke ground on the Stibnite Gold Project after receiving confirmation from the United States Forest Service that its Record of Decision obligations had been satisfied.

With CAD 800 million already raised to support development, and construction phase financial assurance of USD 139 million posted, the company is entering a high-execution-risk phase that requires deep project delivery expertise, operational readiness, and strategic investor relations. The newly appointed executives bring decades of combined experience in mining construction, processing technologies, team scaling, and capital markets communication, suggesting that Perpetua Resources Corp. is aligning talent with its capital deployment strategy.

Jon Cherry emphasized that building the right leadership team is critical to meeting the company’s goals of producing gold and strategic minerals while delivering on environmental and community commitments. He said the appointments signal a deepened focus on execution, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.

Who are the new senior leaders joining Perpetua Resources Corp.?

Jim Norine joins as Senior Vice President of Projects after a 25-year career in engineering and large-scale project execution. He was most recently Regional Director, Metals, Western USA at Hatch Engineering, Ltd., where he oversaw the Engineering and Procurement phase of the Hermosa Project in Arizona under an integrated delivery framework. Norine’s previous roles at Ausenco Engineering USA, Sundt Construction, and M3 Engineering have equipped him with cross-disciplinary insight into mining infrastructure and delivery under Idaho regulatory frameworks.

Tim Kahl assumes the role of Senior Vice President of Technical Services, bringing over 30 years of experience in processing plant design, commissioning, and operations. He has worked across North and South America and held leadership positions at major gold operations including Newmont’s Peñasquito mine in Mexico and Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic. Kahl has already served as a consultant to Perpetua Resources Corp. for two years, focusing on Pressure Oxidation and process optimization.

Dustin Rissmiller steps in as Vice President of Human Resources, drawing on extensive experience building teams for mining and energy projects in the United States and abroad. As Perpetua Resources Corp. scales toward peak construction activity, which is projected to create more than 950 direct jobs, Rissmiller’s role in workforce planning and talent acquisition is seen as a key enabler.

Joe Fazzini joins as Vice President of Investor Relations, tasked with strengthening communication with institutional and retail shareholders. A Chartered Accountant and CFA charterholder, Fazzini brings a 15-year background in mining equity research, institutional sales, and corporate leadership across development-stage mineral companies. His focus will be to ensure Perpetua Resources Corp.’s value proposition is clearly articulated to capital markets as it finalizes funding pathways.

How does the leadership transition affect project continuity at Stibnite?

The new executive appointments coincide with the resignation of Michael Wright, who had served as Vice President of Projects and was instrumental in the company’s early construction preparations. Wright cited personal family reasons for his departure but has agreed to stay on in a consulting capacity through March 2026 to ensure a seamless transition. His contributions include the formation of the project delivery team, completion of basic engineering, and support during equity capital raises exceeding USD 800 million.

The leadership transition is expected to be orderly and additive, rather than disruptive. Analysts covering resource development firms have noted that Perpetua Resources Corp. has prioritized knowledge transfer and retained project continuity as it pivots to execution mode. The consulting arrangement with Wright will allow his institutional knowledge to remain accessible as Norine and other senior leaders take full operational control.

What makes the Stibnite Gold Project geopolitically important in 2025 and beyond?

The Stibnite Gold Project stands out not only for its projected annual production of 450,000 ounces of gold over its first four years but also for its role in securing U.S. access to antimony trisulfide, a material that has become increasingly important due to Chinese export restrictions. Perpetua Resources Corp. controls the only known domestic reserve of antimony, making the project strategically significant for national defense and supply chain resilience.

The project has already received over USD 80 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Defense under initiatives such as the Defense Production Act and the Trump-era Transparency Project. In September 2025, Perpetua Resources Corp. received a preliminary project letter and indicative term sheet from the U.S. EXIM Bank, outlining up to USD 2 billion in potential debt financing support. A final board decision is expected by spring 2026, coinciding with the anticipated final investment decision.

Beyond its geopolitical value, the project is being framed as an environmental remediation effort. The legacy mine site has been heavily contaminated, and the Stibnite Gold Project has been designed to reconnect fish to native spawning grounds, remove legacy waste, and restore ecosystems. The company has posted a reclamation bond and says it is committed to “mining with purpose.”

Which market signals from Perpetua Resources’ recent stock performance matter most to institutional investors in 2025?

As of December 5, 2025, Perpetua Resources Corp. shares closed at CAD 35.86 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, down 0.11 percent for the day. Over the past five trading sessions, the stock has declined by 1.70 percent, representing a drop of CAD 0.62 from its recent high. The dip appears more reflective of short-term consolidation following news flow rather than a shift in institutional confidence.

While market participants await confirmation of full project financing and EXIM Bank approvals, sentiment around the stock remains cautiously constructive. Several analysts covering the resource development sector view the leadership additions and construction progress as signs that the company is transitioning into a value-unlocking phase. There is growing interest in how Perpetua Resources Corp. will structure its next capital raises and whether it will seek additional government support for its strategic mineral output.

Which project milestones and financing decisions are likely to define investor focus for Perpetua Resources as 2026 approaches?

Looking ahead, investors will be closely watching for the final investment decision, EXIM Bank board approval, workforce ramp-up, and updates to reserve and feasibility metrics. Milestones such as the securing of long-lead equipment orders, final EPC arrangements, and clarity on offtake agreements for antimony could serve as potential valuation catalysts.

Institutional observers also point to the broader macro environment as favorable for projects like Stibnite, which combine environmental remediation with strategic mineral production. With global defense budgets rising and supply chain realignments accelerating, Perpetua Resources Corp. is positioned to attract bipartisan policy support and potentially additional grant funding.

At the same time, execution risk remains elevated. Analysts caution that construction delays, permitting modifications, or cost escalations could affect timelines and investor confidence. The expanded leadership team will play a central role in navigating these challenges.

What are the key takeaways from Perpetua Resources Corp.’s latest executive appointments and project developments?

• Perpetua Resources Corp. has added four senior executives to its leadership team as the Stibnite Gold Project advances toward a final investment decision in 2026.

• The appointments include Jim Norine (SVP, Projects), Tim Kahl (SVP, Technical Services), Dustin Rissmiller (VP, Human Resources), and Joe Fazzini (VP, Investor Relations), each bringing decades of mining, engineering, and capital markets experience.

• The leadership changes are intended to scale up construction delivery, improve operational readiness, and enhance investor engagement during a high-stakes development phase.

• The company officially broke ground on the Stibnite Gold Project in October 2025 after satisfying U.S. Forest Service regulatory conditions and posting USD 139 million in financial assurance.

• The project is the only known domestic source of antimony trisulfide, a critical mineral used in U.S. defense manufacturing, and has received over USD 80 million in grants from the Department of Defense.

• Gold production is expected to reach 450,000 ounces annually during the initial four years, with 4.8 million ounces in total reserves, making it one of the highest-grade open-pit gold projects in the United States.

• The U.S. EXIM Bank has issued a preliminary letter supporting up to USD 2 billion in project debt financing, with final approval anticipated in spring 2026.

• Michael Wright, the outgoing VP of Projects, will remain onboard as a consultant until March 2026 to support project continuity and handover.

• Shares of Perpetua Resources Corp. (TSX: PPTA) closed at CAD 35.86 on December 5, down 0.11 percent on the day and 1.70 percent over the previous five sessions.

• Investor attention now turns to upcoming financing decisions, construction milestones, and potential offtake partnerships ahead of the anticipated final investment decision in 2026.