AbraSilver Strengthens Project Development Team with Appointment of Project Director at Diablillos and Announces Board Changes
AbraSilver Strengthens Project Development
Team with Appointment of Project Director at
Diablillos and Announces Board Changes
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 17, 2026) -
AbraSilver Resource Corp. (TSX: ABRA)
(OTCQX: ABBRF) ("AbraSilver" or the "Company")
is pleased to announce the appointment of
John Naisbitt as Project Director for its 100%-owned Diablillos silver-gold project in Argentina, the
appointment of Wendy Kaufman to the Company's Board of Directors and the resignation of Rob
Bruggeman from the Board of Directors.
These additions further strengthen AbraSilver's Project Development team and governance as the
Company transitions from feasibility to project execution following completion of the Definitive Feasibility
Study and receipt of all key permits and approvals.
Summary of Changes
:
Wendy Kaufman, CPA, CA, has been appointed as a Director of the Company, and will serve as
Chair of the Audit Committee.
John Naisbitt has joined AbraSilver as Project Director, based in Argentina.
Rob Bruggeman has resigned as a Director, effective September 30, 2026; and
The Company expects to make additional appointments to its Project Development team in the
near term, both at the Diablillos site and at the corporate level.
Board Changes
Wendy Kaufman, CPA, CA, has been appointed to AbraSilver's Board of Directors and will serve as
Chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Kaufman brings more than 30 years of senior financial leadership
experience in the mining and metals sector, including extensive experience in project financing, capital
markets, financial oversight and corporate governance.
Ms. Kaufman currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Canada Nickel Company Inc. and previously
held CFO roles with Khiron Life Sciences Corp., Pasinex Resources Limited and Primero Mining Corp.
She also spent nearly two decades with Inmet Mining Corp., where she was involved in major financing
transactions prior to its acquisition by First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Over her career, she has led and
supported the raising of more than US$2 billion in senior unsecured notes and more than $100 million in
equity financings.
The Company also announces that Rob Bruggeman has resigned as a Director, effective September
30, 2026 to focus on his new role as President, CEO and Director of Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation.
The Board thanks Mr. Bruggeman for his significant contributions to AbraSilver over the past eight years.
Experienced Project Director for Diablillos
John Naisbitt joins AbraSilver as Project Director with more than 45 years of experience in engineering,
construction, procurement and project management, including more than 30 years working on major
mining projects across Latin America. Mr. Naisbitt is a mechanical engineer, fluent in Spanish, and has
extensive experience leading large-scale mining projects from feasibility through engineering,
construction, commissioning and start-up.
Throughout his career, Mr. Naisbitt has held senior project and engineering roles with leading mining
companies, including Eldorado Gold, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Lydian International and Barrick
Chile. His experience includes serving as Vice-President and Project Director for Lydian International,
where he led development of the US$384 million Amulsar gold project, and as Project Director for
AngloGold Ashanti's US$1.5 billion Gramalote project in Colombia. He also served as Project Director
for Gold Fields' Cerro Corona copper-gold project in Peru, where he led engineering, construction and
commissioning of the US$550 million operation.
In his new role, Mr. Naisbitt will lead execution of the Diablillos project, including detailed engineering,
contracting and procurement, early works and construction management, working closely with Chief
Operating Officer Jeremy Weyland and AbraSilver's growing in-country team.
Executive Commentary
Ms. Inkster, Executive Chair, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome both John and Wendy to
AbraSilver at an important stage in the Company's evolution. John's extensive experience delivering
large-scale mining projects across Latin America is an excellent fit for Diablillos as we move into
detailed engineering, early works and construction. Wendy brings significant experience in project
financing, capital markets and governance that will be highly valuable as we advance toward project
financing and construction.
I would also like to thank Rob for his many contributions to AbraSilver over the years. He has played an
important role in the Company's growth and in positioning Diablillos for the development phase.
With these additions, and further appointments to our Project Development team expected shortly, we
are continuing to build the team required to advance Diablillos toward a construction decision and
ultimately into production."
About AbraSilver
AbraSilver is a leading silver-gold development company focused on advancing its 100%-owned
Diablillos Project in the mining-friendly provinces of Salta and Catamarca, Argentina. The recently
completed Definitive Feasibility Study highlights Diablillos as a robust, high-margin, long-life precious
metals project with significant production potential and substantial exploration upside. In addition, the
Company has entered into an earn-in option and joint venture agreement with Teck on the La Coipita
project, located in the San Juan province of Argentina. AbraSilver is listed on the TSX under the symbol
"ABRA" and in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol "ABBRF."
For further information please visit the AbraSilver website at
www.abrasilver.com
, our LinkedIn page at
AbraSilver Resource Corp.
, and follow us on X at
www.x.com/abrasilver
Alternatively, please contact:
John Miniotis, President, CEO and Director
Tel: +1 416-306-8334
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and/or "forward-looking information"
(collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-
looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expect",
"is expected", "in order to", "is focused on" (a future event), "estimates", "intends", "anticipates",
"believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could", "would", or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news
release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's future operations, future
exploration and development activities, the expected benefits of the management and board changes
announced herein, the roles and responsibilities of the newly appointed officers and directors, the
Company's plans to make additional appointments to its Project Development team at the Diablillos site
and at the corporate level, and the Company's plans for advancing the Diablillos project toward a formal
construction decision.
The Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available but
cautions the reader that these assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the
control of the Company, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and
uncertainties that affect the Company, its properties and business. Such risks and uncertainties include,
but are not limited to, the ability of newly appointed officers and directors to execute on the Company's
strategic objectives; changes in demand for and price of gold, silver and other commodities; changes or
disruptions in the securities markets; legislative, political or economic developments in Argentina; the
need to obtain permits and comply with laws and regulations and other regulatory requirements; the
possibility that actual results of work may differ from projections/expectations; risks of accidents,
equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; and the
risks involved in the exploration, development and mining business and the additional risks described in
the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form, annual and interim management's
discussion and analysis and other disclosure documents which are available on SEDAR+
(
www.sedarplus.ca
) under the Company's issuer profile. Although management of the Company has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by applicable securities laws.
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https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/309718