Augustus Minerals Taps Dr James Warren to Drive Next Exploration Phase

A New Chapter for Augustus Minerals

Augustus Minerals (ASX – AUG) has announced the appointment of Dr James Warren as Chief Executive Officer, effective 4 August 2025. Dr Warren’s arrival marks a significant leadership upgrade for the mineral explorer, which is focused on gold and critical minerals in Western Australia. His extensive background in both technical geology and corporate growth is expected to accelerate the company’s exploration ambitions.

Dr Warren brings over 15 years of industry experience, having played pivotal roles in some of Australia’s notable resource success stories. Most prominently, he was instrumental in expanding Echo Resources’ gold resource base from 350,000 ounces to 1.8 million ounces, a transformation that culminated in a $240 million acquisition by Northern Star Resources. His expertise also extends to strategic partnerships, exemplified by his central role in securing a $55 million farm-in agreement with Rio Tinto Exploration through Tali Resources.

Strategic Vision Meets Technical Excellence

Beyond exploration, Dr Warren has gained valuable corporate exposure through executive and board roles in ASX-listed companies such as Omnia Metals Group and Pure Resources. His leadership at Marquee Resources led to a joint venture with Mineral Resources Ltd, showcasing his ability to navigate complex corporate and capital markets environments. This blend of technical and strategic acumen is precisely what Augustus Minerals aims to leverage as it advances its portfolio.

The company’s projects include the Ti-Tree project in the Gascoyne region, highly prospective for copper, gold, lithium, uranium, and rare earth elements, and the Music Well project near Leonora, which is poised for its maiden drilling campaign following a recently executed Heritage Protection Agreement with the Watarra Aboriginal Corporation. Dr Warren’s appointment comes at a critical juncture as Augustus prepares to translate its exploration targets into tangible results.

Incentives Aligned with Growth

Dr Warren’s employment terms include a fixed annual salary of $250,000, complemented by a suite of performance rights and options tied to continuous service and share price milestones. This structure aligns his incentives with shareholder returns, underscoring the company’s commitment to value creation. The vesting conditions, including share price hurdles of $0.10 and $0.20, reflect confidence in the company’s growth trajectory under his leadership.

Chairman Brian Rodan expressed optimism about the appointment, highlighting Dr Warren’s rare combination of technical expertise and strategic vision. The board anticipates that his leadership will be instrumental in unlocking new opportunities and advancing Augustus Minerals’ exploration projects.

As Augustus Minerals embarks on this new phase, investors will be watching closely to see how Dr Warren’s proven track record translates into progress on the ground and, ultimately, shareholder value.