Argent Minerals appoints mining veteran Mike McKevitt as CEO to spearhead advancement of its flagship Kempfield Silver Project and evaluate growth across gold and copper assets.
- Mike McKevitt appointed CEO from 12 July 2026
- Over 35 years’ global mining and finance experience
- Focus on Kempfield Silver Project development and resource expansion
- Leadership transition completed with outgoing CEO Pedro Kastellorizos
- Incentive package includes zero exercise price options tied to share price milestones
Experienced CEO Takes Helm at Argent Minerals
Argent Minerals Limited (ASX:ARD) has appointed Mike McKevitt as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 12 July 2026, marking a strategic leadership shift aimed at accelerating the development of its flagship Kempfield Silver Project. McKevitt brings a formidable 35-year track record spanning operational mining, technical consulting, corporate advisory, and project financing across multiple continents and commodities.
His diverse background includes a decade at Macquarie Bank in international mining finance, where he was deeply involved in technical and financial evaluation, mine construction planning, and monitoring. More recently, McKevitt has advised on structuring project financing packages combining commercial lenders, government financiers, private equity, and offtakers. His operational experience covers gold, iron ore, nickel, copper, and zinc, complemented by leadership roles in ASX-listed companies through IPOs and mergers.
Strategic Focus on Kempfield and Growth Assets
Argent’s Non-Executive Chairman Peter Michael highlighted McKevitt’s appointment as timely, given the company’s review of its portfolio to maximise shareholder value. McKevitt’s immediate priority is advancing Kempfield, a polymetallic silver deposit boasting an estimated 142.8 million ounces silver equivalent, including 65.8 million ounces of silver. The project’s scale and grade underpin multiple potential development pathways, with recent drilling extending mineralisation boundaries and confirming resource continuity.
Alongside Kempfield, McKevitt will oversee progress at Argent’s Trunkey Creek gold and Copperhead copper projects, both offering significant exploration upside. The company’s broader strategy involves resource expansion, technical studies, and development planning to unlock the full potential of these assets.
Leadership Transition and Incentive Structure
The appointment completes the transition following Managing Director Pedro Kastellorizos’ departure in mid-June 2026. Kastellorizos will continue as a consultant on an ad hoc basis. The Board expressed gratitude for his contributions during his tenure.
McKevitt’s remuneration includes a fixed annual salary of AUD 365,000 and a performance-linked incentive comprising 5 million zero exercise price options (ZEPOs). Half vest if Argent’s shares achieve a 20-day VWAP of at least $0.06 by 30 November 2027, and the remainder vest at a $0.08 VWAP hurdle. Unvested options will lapse unless the Board decides otherwise.
Kempfield’s Mineral Resource Remains Robust
The announcement reiterates Kempfield’s substantial mineral resource, unchanged materially since the July 2024 upgrade, which estimated 63.7 million tonnes at 69.75 g/t silver equivalent. The deposit includes significant quantities of silver, gold, lead, and zinc, with metallurgical recoveries supporting commercial viability. The resource remains open for expansion, with recent drilling extending mineralisation both along strike and at depth, underscoring the project’s bulk-tonnage potential and polymetallic nature.
McKevitt’s appointment aligns with a period of active exploration and resource growth at Kempfield, including notable intercepts that have confirmed high-grade zones and visible gold occurrences, enhancing the project’s appeal as a critical metal source for emerging technologies.
Bottom Line?
McKevitt’s blend of operational and financing expertise positions Argent to refine its development strategy and capital structure as it advances Kempfield and other key projects.
Questions in the middle?
- How will McKevitt’s financing experience influence Argent’s capital raising and project funding approach?
- What timelines will Argent set for Kempfield’s development milestones under new leadership?
- Can resource expansion at Kempfield and Trunkey Creek materially shift Argent’s valuation in the near term?