Northern Star starts search for new MD as Tonkin announces stepdown
ASX-listed gold producer Northern Star Resources has started a formal process to facilitate an orderly transition to a new MD, after Stuart Tonkin announced he will step down from the position during the first quarter of the 2027 financial year - between July and September.
Tonkin will remain as MD until that time, which will see the conclusion of the company's current strategic plan and the commissioning of the KCGM Fimiston Mill Expansion, in Western Australia.
His tenure marks a highly successful 13-year term at Northern Star as COO, CEO and MD, with the company having grown from a small capitalised Western Australia-focused miner into Australia's largest ASX-listed gold producer with three production centres and more than 10 000 employees and contractors in Western Australia and Alaska under his leadership.
In its search for a new MD, Northern Star will task a leading global search firm shortly to consider international and external candidates.
"After 13 years leading Northern Star through significant growth, I’m proud to leave the company in an exceptional position. The team, the assets and the outstanding growth outlook are unique and after many years of rewarding challenges, I have decided to step down," Tonkin said.
Northern Star chairperson Michael Chaney commented that Tonkin leaves a legacy in the form of assets and growth opportunities that
will deliver benefits for all stakeholders for decades to come.
"Along with my fellow directors, I look forward to working with Tonkin to achieve a smooth transition to a new leader in the coming months."
The Northern Star KCGM Fimiston Mill Expansion in Kalgoorlie is a major A$1.5-billion project designed to scale processing capacity. The expansion is nearing completion and reaching nameplate capacity, marking a primary focus for the company.
