Bayan Mining Taps Nathan Kong to Drive Rare Earths Growth
Bayan Mining has appointed Nathan Kong as its new CEO, bringing over 17 years of tier-one mining experience to lead its rare earth projects and strategic growth initiatives.
- Nathan Kong appointed CEO effective 27 January 2026
- Over 17 years’ experience with Rio Tinto, Gold Fields, Iluka Resources
- Focus on advancing rare earth processing technology and key projects
- Executive Director Fadi Diab moves to Non-Executive Director role
- Performance rights linked to share price milestones as part of remuneration
Leadership Change at a Critical Growth Stage
Bayan Mining and Minerals Limited (ASX – BMM) has announced the appointment of Nathan Kong as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 27 January 2026. This leadership change comes at a pivotal moment as the company seeks to advance its rare earth processing technology and progress key projects such as Bayan Springs and Desert Star.
Mr Kong brings a wealth of experience from over 17 years working with tier-one mining operators including Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Gold Fields, and Iluka Resources. His background spans mine planning, technical studies, reserve reporting, and project evaluation, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of the mining lifecycle from exploration to operational planning.
Bridging Technical Expertise and Corporate Strategy
Beyond his technical credentials, Mr Kong has significant expertise in capital markets and corporate development. He has been involved in IPOs, ASX listing processes, asset evaluation, and transaction support, providing him with a balanced perspective on both the operational and financial aspects of mining projects. This dual capability is expected to be instrumental as Bayan navigates strategic partnerships and capital-efficient execution.
The company’s Non-Executive Chairman, Agha Shahzad Pervez, highlighted that Mr Kong’s appointment strengthens Bayan’s executive leadership at a time when disciplined capital allocation and long-term value creation are paramount. Meanwhile, outgoing Executive Director Fadi Diab will transition to a Non-Executive Director role, ensuring continuity at the board level while supporting the company’s next phase.
Incentives Aligned with Shareholder Value
Mr Kong’s remuneration package includes a fixed cash salary of A$300,000 per annum plus participation in Bayan’s employee securities incentive plan. Notably, he is set to receive 2.5 million performance rights, which vest upon the company achieving specific share price milestones over the next three years. These milestones are set at a volume-weighted average price of $0.20, $0.35, and $0.50, aligning his incentives closely with shareholder returns.
In his statement, Mr Kong expressed enthusiasm about joining Bayan at this transformative stage, emphasising his commitment to disciplined execution, value-driven decision-making, and sustainable outcomes for shareholders. His leadership style is described as structured and analytical, with a clear focus on technical discipline and capital efficiency.
Looking Ahead
As Bayan embarks on this new chapter under Mr Kong’s stewardship, the market will be watching closely to see how the company advances its rare earth projects and leverages strategic partnerships. The combination of technical expertise and corporate acumen brought by the new CEO could prove decisive in unlocking value from Bayan’s portfolio.
Bottom Line?
Nathan Kong’s appointment signals Bayan’s serious intent to sharpen execution and capital discipline as it pushes rare earth projects forward.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Mr Kong’s leadership influence Bayan’s timeline for rare earth processing technology development?
- What strategic partners might Bayan engage with under the new CEO’s direction?
- Can Bayan’s share price milestones tied to performance rights be realistically achieved in the current market?
