Kristi Noem joins B.C. copper junior in advisory role

Kristi Noem, the current Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas, has joined a British Columbia-based mining junior in an advisory role.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, NovaRed Mining (CSE: NRED), which holds two early-stage copper exploration assets in the Canadian province, announced the hiring of Noem as its strategic advisor.

In this role, Noem will support NovaRed's mission of acquiring and advancing critical mineral exploration opportunities through its artificial intelligence-enhanced technology platform, the company said in a statement.

According to the company, Noem, who previously served as the US Secretary of Homeland Security, boasts "extensive experience spanning economic development, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, national security and public-private collaboration."

Shares of NovaRed Mining rose 2.7% on the news, giving the Vancouver-based explorer a market capitalization of C$73.6 million.

Infrastructure investment experience

As the eighth Secretary of Homeland Security, nominated by US President Donald Trump, she oversaw one of the federal government's largest departments and directed initiatives involving critical infrastructure, transportation security, interagency coordination and strategic operations.

However, Noem's role was reassigned in March -- just 13 months after taking charge of the department -- following a cascade of leadership controversies, including her handling of the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, as well as management scandals.

Prior to serving as Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem was the Governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025, where she led statewide economic development and infrastructure initiatives. Before that, she represented South Dakota in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019.

"Kristi brings exceptional leadership experience and a deep understanding of the policy, regulatory and economic factors that influence infrastructure investment, resource development and long-term economic growth," NovaRed's CEO Brian Goss stated.

"I look forward to supporting the company's strategic objectives. In an increasingly competitive global environment, secure and reliable access to critical minerals has become an important economic and national security priority," Noem commented.

NovaRed's exploration assets include the Wilmac property, covering 160 sq. km of land within one of British Columbia’s most active mining districts, and the smaller Lamont Ridge project in the Similkameen mining division. Surface sampling to date on the properties returned average copper grades of 0.64%, with the highest grade being 1.67%.