Killi Resources appoints seasoned geologist Hamish Halliday as Managing Director, signalling a strategic push to advance the Lodestone Iron Ore Project. Brett Smith steps up as General Manager – Technical, while former CEO Kathryn Cutler departs by mutual agreement.
- Hamish Halliday appointed Managing Director from August 24, 2026
- Focus shifts to accelerating Lodestone Iron Ore Project development
- Brett Smith formalised as General Manager – Technical
- Former CEO Kathryn Cutler resigns by mutual agreement
- Lodestone hosts 110Mt inferred resource with premium 69% Fe concentrate
Leadership Overhaul Aligns with Lodestone Ambitions
Killi Resources (ASX:KLI) has made a decisive leadership change, appointing Hamish Halliday as Managing Director effective 24 August 2026. Halliday’s arrival marks a clear pivot towards fast-tracking the development of the company’s flagship Lodestone Iron Ore Project in Western Australia’s Mid-West region. With nearly three decades of experience spanning five continents, Halliday brings a rare blend of technical expertise and corporate acumen, having founded and led several junior mining companies.
His prior role as a Non-Executive Director since June 2026, following Killi’s acquisition of Lodestone, gives him intimate knowledge of the project’s geology and potential. The Board sees Halliday’s appointment as critical to sharpening Killi’s focus on advancing Lodestone, which boasts an Inferred Mineral Resource of approximately 110 million tonnes at 33% mass recovery for a 69% Fe concentrate. The deposit’s unique ore quality supports a high-purity 68–70% Fe concentrate, targeting premium direct reduction iron ore markets.
Technical Leadership and Project Momentum
Alongside Halliday’s elevation, Brett Smith, who served as Interim CEO, has been formally engaged as General Manager – Technical. Smith’s 35-plus years in exploration, resource definition, and mining operations will underpin Killi’s technical workstreams and resource growth ambitions. The company is gearing up for an intensive period of technical studies and resource upgrades over the next 12 months, aiming to maintain the momentum generated by recent exploration efforts.
This leadership reshuffle coincides with an ongoing 20,000-metre drilling campaign designed to expand and upgrade the Lodestone resource, a program that has been underway since mid-2026 and is expected to yield multiple resource updates in coming quarters. The project benefits from proximity to Geraldton port and existing infrastructure, enhancing its development appeal.
CEO Departure and Executive Terms
By mutual agreement, Kathryn Cutler has resigned as Chief Executive Officer after five years with Killi. The Board expressed gratitude for her contributions but provided no further details on the operational impact of her departure. Meanwhile, Halliday’s executive services agreement includes a $375,000 annual remuneration package and a six-month notice period. He is also eligible to participate in the company’s Employee Incentive Plan, subject to shareholder approval where required.
Killi’s Chairman, Nev Power, emphasised that the new leadership team is well-positioned to capitalise on Lodestone’s potential. With Halliday’s deep understanding of the project and Smith’s technical stewardship, Killi aims to rapidly progress resource definition and key studies that could unlock value for shareholders.
Bottom Line?
Killi’s leadership overhaul and technical focus set the stage for a critical phase of resource expansion and project advancement at Lodestone over the next year.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Halliday’s leadership influence the pace and scale of Lodestone’s development?
- What are the immediate priorities for technical studies under Brett Smith’s management?
- How might Kathryn Cutler’s departure affect Killi’s strategic direction and investor confidence?