Battery Age Minerals has appointed Sebastian Kneer as its new CEO, bringing nearly two decades of global exploration expertise. His leadership comes with a performance-linked incentive plan aimed at driving shareholder value.
- Sebastian Kneer appointed CEO effective 2 February 2026
- 19 years of international experience in lithium and other minerals
- Previously led resource growth at Leo Lithium’s Goulamina project
- Salary set at $320,000 plus superannuation
- 2.5 million performance rights tied to share price milestones
A New Chapter for Battery Age Minerals
Battery Age Minerals Ltd (ASX – BM8) has announced the appointment of Sebastian Kneer as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from 2 February 2026. This leadership change marks a significant moment for the lithium exploration company as it seeks to accelerate growth and unlock value in its portfolio.
Kneer arrives with an impressive 19-year track record in the resources sector, spanning multiple commodities including lithium, uranium, gold, graphite, and nickel. His expertise in geology and exploration is well established, having driven substantial resource expansions and mine developments internationally.
Proven Success in Lithium Exploration
Most notably, Kneer’s recent role as General Manager – Geology & Exploration at Leo Lithium Ltd saw him lead the expansion of the Goulamina Lithium Project in Mali. Under his guidance, the mineral resource nearly doubled from 108 million tonnes to 267 million tonnes at 1.38% lithium oxide within 18 months, positioning Goulamina as one of the world’s premier hard-rock lithium assets.
Prior to Leo Lithium, Kneer contributed significantly to Galaxy Resources (now part of Rio Tinto) where he helped extend the life of the Mt Cattlin lithium mine and brought new ore bodies into production. His earlier career included nine years focused on uranium exploration and development across Australia.
Incentives Aligned with Shareholder Returns
Battery Age Minerals has structured Kneer’s remuneration to include a base salary of $320,000 plus statutory superannuation, alongside a long-term incentive plan featuring 2.5 million performance rights. These rights vest in tranches tied to the company’s share price reaching specific milestones between $0.25 and $0.70, over a three-year period.
This incentive scheme underscores the board’s confidence in Kneer’s ability to drive the company’s growth and aligns his rewards with shareholder value creation. The performance rights are subject to continuous employment and will lapse if milestones are not met by April 2029.
Looking Ahead
The transition period will see Kneer working closely with outgoing CEO Nigel Broomham to ensure continuity. Board Chairman Dr David Pevcic expressed enthusiasm about Kneer’s appointment, highlighting his technical expertise and leadership as key to advancing Battery Age’s strategic ambitions.
For investors and industry watchers, Kneer’s arrival signals a renewed focus on exploration success and resource growth, critical factors in the competitive lithium market. How effectively he leverages his experience to deliver on these fronts will be closely monitored in the months ahead.
Bottom Line?
Sebastian Kneer’s leadership and performance-linked incentives set the stage for Battery Age Minerals’ next growth phase.
Questions in the middle?
- What exploration milestones will Kneer prioritise to drive resource growth?
- How quickly can Battery Age Minerals translate exploration success into production?
- Will the share price milestones tied to performance rights be achievable in current market conditions?