Guardian Exploration Inc. (TSXV: GX) (OTCQB: GXUSF) (Frankfurt: R6B) announced the formation of its Advisory Board, a strategic initiative designed to enhance the company's leadership capacity as it progresses its exploration and development objectives. As part of this initiative, the company welcomed Ms. Elena Baranova to its Advisory Board.
Ms. Baranova is an accomplished international strategic advisor and cross-border negotiator with extensive experience spanning corporate finance, energy, mining, and large-scale infrastructure projects across global markets. Her expertise includes international legal structuring, sovereign and government negotiations, complex transactions, and the development of large-scale capital-intensive projects. She brings a strong track record of working across Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a focus on energy transition and critical minerals.
Graydon Kowal, President & Chief Executive Officer of Guardian, commented: “Ms. Baranova brings a rare combination of global transactional expertise and hands-on experience in developing complex energy and resource projects. Her deep understanding of international markets, government negotiations, and capital structuring will be invaluable as Guardian continues to advance its strategic initiatives. We are very pleased to welcome her to our Advisory Board.”
Elena Baranova is a Solicitor of England & Wales and a highly experienced international advisor in corporate finance, energy, mining, and infrastructure development. She began her legal career at leading international law firms, including Osborne Clarke and Ogier, where she advised on high-value financings, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and complex cross-border transactions. Her experience includes involvement in landmark transactions such as UC Rusal's US$26 billion IPO and Glencore's US$61 billion dual listing. She has also advised on corporate governance and restructuring, M&A and commercial matters for major global companies, including Rio Tinto, Norilsk Nickel, Randgold Resources (now Barrick Mining Corporation), Erdenes Mongol, Jordan Intrah (Oil & Gas) Group, Jindal Steel, and other multinational organizations.
Ms. Baranova is a Co-Founder of IM Power Plc, a UK-based independent power producer. As Executive Director she led the development of major energy infrastructure projects, including a US$1.2 billion power plant in Mongolia supporting large-scale mining operations. She has worked extensively with international financial institutions and multinational partners across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
She is also the Founder and Managing Director of Astera Group, which focuses on strategic opportunities in energy transition and critical minerals, including rare earths, battery storage, and renewable energy infrastructure. Her work involves advising governments, investors, and global industry stakeholders on complex, high-impact projects.
Ms. Baranova holds GDL and LPC degrees (awarded with Distinction) from The University of Law (ULaw) in the United Kingdom and is a qualified Solicitor of England & Wales. She is a member of the Law Society of the United Kingdom, serves as a judge for the International Property Awards, and is actively involved in several international organizations, including the Eurasia Critical Minerals Organization and the British-Uzbek Society.
Guardian Exploration Inc. is a TSXV-listed company engaged in oil, gas, and mineral exploration and development. Guardian's assets include the Sundog and Esker gold projects in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region, the Mount Cameron Property in Yukon's Mayo Mining District, and the Kaigani claims in Southeast Alaska. The formation of the Advisory Board and the appointment of Ms. Baranova signal the company's commitment to leveraging top-tier expertise to navigate complex international markets and advance its strategic initiatives.
