AIC Mines Ltd. has appointed mining executive Clint Donkin as Managing Director and CEO, part of a larger board transition as the company prepares for its next operational growth phase.
Donkin will assume executive leadership by October 31. Current Managing Director Aaron Colleran will transition to Non-Executive Chairman, while outgoing Chairman Josef El-Raghy retires after nine years on the board.
The executive shift follows a six-month succession planning process designed to strengthen operational capabilities across AIC Mines’ core assets, including the Eloise and Jericho underground copper mines near Cloncurry in North Queensland.
Donkin brings extensive international experience across Australia, Africa, and South America, having previously held senior roles at Glencore PLC and Ausenco Pty Ltd.
His recent positions at Glencore include Head of Copper (Africa Region), Chief Technology Officer, and Head of Joint Ventures (Copper South America).
The transition represents an evolution of the company’s leadership structure as it progresses from a period of strong organic growth towards production ramp-up, operational improvement and inorganic growth.
Incoming CEO Donkin said his immediate focus will involve driving production efficiencies while pursuing further growth opportunities.
“The company has built an enviable reputation for delivering on promise and this will remain a focus, while also considering opportunities to further improve production and reduce costs at Eloise,” Donkin said.
Colleran, who joined the company in 2019 and oversaw its evolution from an explorer into a copper producer via the Eloise and Jericho acquisitions, noted the timing aligns with AIC’s shift toward production expansion.
“Over recent years we have assembled a high-quality team and transformed the Eloise copper mine into a reliable, long-life asset of meaningful size,” Colleran said.
“The board and I believe this is the appropriate time to appoint a Managing Director with strong operational experience to lead the Company’s next stage of growth.”
The company said retaining Colleran as Chairman ensures corporate continuity while Donkin focuses on operational performance, cost optimization, and asset integration across its North Queensland operations.
