International Advisory Board
The International Advisory Board is a select community of recognized experts and thought-leaders who support the Board of Directors on a volunteer basis. They assist the International Lithium Alliance in setting its strategy, goals and direction.
R. Keith Evans
Geologist Keith Evans became involved in the lithium business in the early 1970’s at Selection Trust Ltd., evaluating the future potential of Bikita Minerals in what, at that time, was Southern Rhodesia (later Zimbabwe). Selection Trust, the majority owner of the operation, was the dominant producer of lithium ores for direct usage in the glass and ceramics industry.
He later joined Lithium Corporation of America, the then leading lithium chemical producer and later moved to Amax Exploration. On behalf of Amax and a Chilean partner he negotiated with Corfo, a Chilean government entity, the rights to evaluate and develop that part of the Salar de Atacama that had not been leased to the Foote Mineral Company. He was responsible for all aspects of the evaluation. Amax decided not to proceed with the project and it was acquired by Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM), now the world’s largest lithium chemicals producer.
Throughout his career in the lithium industry it was his responsibility to monitor industry developments particularly in respect of new resources and he has continued as a consultant in a number of industrial minerals.
Jack Lifton
Jack Lifton is an Independent consultant, focusing on the sourcing of nonferrous strategic metals. His work includes exploration and mining, and the recovery of metal values by the recycling of not only metals and their alloys but also of metal-based chemicals used as raw materials for component manufacturing.
Mr. Lifton has more than 45 years of experience in the global OEM automotive, heavy equipment, electrical and electronic, mining, smelting, and refining industries. His background includes the sourcing, manufacturing, and sales of platinum group metal products, rare earth compounds, and ceramic specialties used to make catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, batteries, and fuel cells. He is knowledgeable in locating and analyzing new and recycled supplies of 'minor metals' including tellurium, selenium, indium, gallium, silicon, germanium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, chromium, and the rare earth metals.
Today he primarily consults to institutional investors doing due diligence on metals related opportunities.
Jack wrote a weekly column on minor metals for Resource Investor for three years until December 2008, during which he authored more than 125 original articles. He is also speaks on minor metals fundamentals and end-uses at private, public, and professional meetings. In 2008 he spoke in Barcelona, Toronto, New York, Saskatoon, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, and San Francisco.