About Us

Corporate Profile

In January 2025, Vale Base Metals (VBM) initiated a strategic review of its Thompson nickel operations, seeking a new partner to secure the future of this iconic Canadian asset.
Two veterans of Canada’s mineral exploration and mining ecosystem were selected to steward the next phase of the Thompson operations: Shastri Ramnath (Chief Executive Officer, Exiro Minerals) and Stephanie Hart (Chief Financial Officer, Exiro Minerals).
Shastri and Stephanie engaged with two prospective investors—Orion Resource Partners LP (“Orion”) and the Canada Growth Fund Inc. (“CGF”)—and successfully brought these respected organizations together with Exiro Minerals to form a consortium of investors focused on turning around the Thompson Operations.
On behalf of this consortium, Shastri and Stephanie led a year-long negotiation to develop a new partnership model for the asset, anchored in a new company: Exiro Nickel, Canada’s newest nickel producer.
These investors have committed up to USD$200 million to invest in the Thompson Operations. This backing provides balance sheet strength and the flexibility to support operational improvements, exploration expenditures and disciplined capital deployment.
Upon the deal closing in Q4 2026, the investor consortium (Exiro Minerals, Orion and CGF) will own 81.1% of Exiro Nickel, while VBM will retain an 18.9% minority stake.

Exiro Nickel has assembled an experienced leadership team with deep expertise in underground mining, operational optimization, and Canadian nickel assets, along with strong Manitoba roots.
The Thompson acquisition was co-led by Exiro Nickel’s Chief Executive Officer, Shastri Ramnath, and Chief Financial and Risk Officer Stephanie Hart, who directed transaction strategy, negotiations, financing, and due diligence. Together, they have established a disciplined financial and operational foundation for the Company’s next phase of growth. They are joined by Chief Operating Officer Vern Baker, who brings extensive underground operating experience and will lead execution and operational performance optimization.
The leadership team is committed to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship within Thompson Operations, one that champions unconventional thinking and courageous leadership at every level. These values will drive operational excellence, strengthen productivity, improve cost efficiency, and ensure that every team member returns home safely, every day.

Shastri is an accomplished geoscientist and mining executive with over 25 years of global experience, including her current role as President and CEO of Exiro Minerals and significant early work in nickel exploration at Falconbridge and FNX Mining where she was a key member of the exploration and resource teams. She is also Chair and co‑founder of Orix Geoscience and sits on the Board of Directors of several mining companies, demonstrating a strong track record of building, leading and guiding successful companies.
Born and raised in Manitoba, Shastri received a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Manitoba in 1999 and worked in Winnipeg after completing a Master’s in Exploration Geology at Rhodes University in South Africa. Shastri’s extensive technical background, entrepreneurial leadership, and proven ability to grow organizations position her well to guide Exiro Nickel through its next phase of long-term value creation.

Stephanie is an experienced mining finance executive with over 25 years in the industry, including senior leadership with Vale Base Metals, where she served as Head of Finance for North Atlantic Operations and Asian Refineries, and led Treasury, Pension Assets, Risk Management, and Finance for Capital Growth Projects. She currently serves as CFO of Exiro Minerals, CEO of Willeson Metals (a Manitoba-focused exploration company) and as a director of Giyani Metals Corp.
Stephanie also brings direct operational experience as a General Foreman in a base metals smelter, providing firsthand insight into plant performance, cost drivers, and operational risk. Earlier in her career, she worked in financial advisory and audit with PwC, building a strong foundation in financial controls, reporting, and governance.
Her combined operational and financial leadership experience positions her well to lead financial and risk strategy for Exiro Nickel.

Seasoned mining executive with over 30 years of global industry experience across base and precious metals operations. He has held senior leadership roles at major mining companies, including serving as Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Mining, General Manager of Goldcorp’s Cerro Negro Mine, Vice President of Operations at FNX Mining and President of Duluth Metals.
Vern brings extensive experience leading complex underground mining operations and has a strong track record of implementing safety, production, and operational performance improvements. His deep technical and operational expertise uniquely positions him to spearhead the operating team as COO of Exiro Nickel.