Board & Management
Our leadership
OBY Critical Minerals's Board and Management team bring over a century of combined experience in building and financing world-class mining projects. From pioneering "Green Lithium" in Brazil to managing critical metal programs for global EV leaders, our team possesses the diverse skillset and local execution experience required to deliver on our strategy and drive value for our stakeholders.
Management Team
Deep technical, financial, and in-country execution experience
Michael Robart
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Robart
Chief Executive Officer
Michael brings over 15 years of experience in Rare Earth and Critical Metals development, operations, and commercial leadership. He previously served as Technical Program Manager for Tesla’s Lithium & Recycling initiatives and as Project Manager/Metallurgist at SGS Canada.
He also held the role of Business Director at Neo Performance Materials (TSX:NEO), a leading mid-stream and downstream rare earth and rare metals company, where he was responsible for the rare metals (gallium) business serving global rare earth magnetics industry customers.
Michael is a licensed P.Eng (Chemical Engineer) in Ontario, Canada.
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Jing Peng
Chief Financial Officer
Jing Peng
Chief Financial Officer
Jing is a CPA (Ontario) with more than 15 years of experience supporting TSXV and Canadian public companies across the mining, technology, and resource sectors. He has served as both CFO and Director, with deep expertise in financial reporting, audits, and capital markets compliance.
Holding advanced degrees from the University of Toronto and UIBE (Beijing), he brings a strong international perspective to corporate governance and cross-border financing strategies.
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Vitor Carmo
Director of Operations & Administration – Oby Brazil
Vitor Carmo
Director of Operations & Administration – Oby Brazil
Vitor is a Production Engineer with expertise in planning, project management, and process optimization across multiple complex Brazilian projects.
He is responsible for corporate and investor communications coordination for OBY.
Vitor holds an MBA in Business Management (USP).
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Rodrigo Fernandes do Espírito Santo
Project Development Consultant – Oby Brazil
Rodrigo Fernandes do Espírito Santo
Project Development Consultant – Oby Brazil
Rodrigo has more than 30 years of experience in capital projects across major Brazilian mining and infrastructure projects, including Carina (Aclara), Araguaia Nickel (Horizonte Minerals), and Tocantinzinho Gold (Eldorado).
He previously served as Project Manager at Aclara Brasil, supporting the Carina Rare Earth Project.
Rodrigo has also led EPCM workstreams at Hatch, SNC-Lavalin (now AtkinsRéalis), and AFRY.
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Carlos Leite
Senior Geologist – Oby Brazil
Carlos Leite
Senior Geologist – Oby Brazil
Carlos has more than 29 years of geology experience, including over 15 years leading exploration programs in Brazil focused on rare earths and strategic metals.
His experience spans all phases of mining, including predictive methods for mineral exploration, geology-based modelling for greenfield, brownfield and near-mine projects, and mineral resource estimation.
Carlos is a MAusIMM member, a Registered Qualified Professional (QP) – PQR.CBRR, and holds an MBA in Data Science & Analytics (USP).
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Guido Pessoa
Environmental Manager – OBY Brazil
Guido Pessoa
Environmental Manager – OBY Brazil
Guido is an Environmental Engineer leading permitting, impact assessment, and sustainability initiatives. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering (UFJF) and has international experience at Queen’s University Belfast.
He also holds certifications in Project Management (PUC-MG) and ESG and Corporate Sustainability (FGV).
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Board of Directors & Advisors
Proven experience building and financing mining projects in Brazil and beyond
Frederico Marques
Chairman
Frederico Marques
Chairman
Frederico is a well-known and highly experienced mining executive and lawyer with over 25 years of experience spanning mineral exploration and mining projects, going-public transactions, M&A, joint ventures, and corporate matters.
He is an Independent Director of PTX Metals Inc. (TSX-V) and a former Independent Director of Sigma Lithium Corp. (TSX-V, NASDAQ, BVMF). He previously served as in-house lawyer at Vale S.A.
He is an Honorary Member of the Board of Directors of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce and its past Chairman. He holds a PhD and LLM in International Law.
Andrew Whitten
Non-Executive Director
Andrew Whitten
Non-Executive Director
Andrew is an investor, advisor, and corporate lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in capital markets, M&A, and business strategy.
He is Managing Director of Prandium Capital, where he advises Australian companies on growth.
He holds a Master of Laws (UTS) in Corporate Finance and Securities Law.
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Jed Richardson
Non-Executive Director
Jed Richardson
Non-Executive Director
Jed has over 20 years of experience spanning project finance and resource development in emerging markets, including Brazil and Africa.
He is currently CEO and Executive Chairman of TSX-listed Trigon Metals.
He previously worked as an analyst at Sprott Capital Markets and Cormark Securities.
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Renato Gomes
Non-Executive Director
Renato Gomes
Non-Executive Director
Renato is a qualified lawyer in Brazil, Portugal, and New York, with experience in business structuring, M&A, financing, and corporate governance.
He is a Co-Founder, former CEO, and current board member of Graphcoa.
He is also a Director of Verde Agritech (TSX-listed former owner of Man of War Project tenements).
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Cristiano Veloso
Executive Advisor
Cristiano Veloso
Executive Advisor
Cristiano is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of TSX-listed Verde AgriTech, OBY Rare Earths, and Toucan Metals.
He has over 20 years of experience leading Brazil-based mining/agri companies through fundraising, development, permitting, commercialization, and production, including the creation of three mines, two industrial plants, and a microbial technology facility.
He holds degrees from UEA (UK) and UFMG (Brazil), along with certification from Harvard Business School.
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