Kefi Gold and Copper has appointed veteran African mining executive Danny Callow as an independent nonexecutive director as the company strengthens its governance structure ahead of major project development in Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia.

Aim-listed Kefi Gold and Copper has appointed experienced mining executive Danny Callow as an independent nonexecutive director with immediate effect, strengthening its board as the company advances mine development projects in Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia.

Callow fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Richard Robinson following Kefi’s recent Annual General Meeting.

His appointment brings extensive African mining and operational experience to the board at a critical stage for Kefi, which is progressing its flagship Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia towards development and preparing for further growth across East Africa and Saudi Arabia.

Danny Callow brings extensive African mining experience
Callow has held senior operational positions across some of Africa’s major mining operations.

His previous roles include Head of African Copper Operations at Glencore, CEO of Mopani Copper Mines in Zambia, and CEO of Mutanda Copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He has also spent the past seven years at Toubani Resources, where he held a number of senior positions, including Chief Operating Officer, CEO, executive chairperson and, most recently, nonexecutive director.

The experience is expected to strengthen Kefi’s operational oversight as its development projects move closer to construction and eventual production.

Callow will also chair Kefi’s operations and physical risks committee, giving him a direct role in monitoring project development and operational risks.

Kefi strengthens board and governance structure
Kefi said its board structure has been designed to provide clear oversight and efficient information flow as the company progresses towards commercial production at Tulu Kapi.

Before production begins, the board will comprise the executive chairperson and finance director alongside four independent nonexecutive directors.

Callow will work alongside fellow nonexecutive committee chairs, including Dr Alistair Clark, who serves as senior independent director, deputy chairperson and chair of the ESG and sustainability committee.

Addis Alemayehou chairs the nomination and remuneration committee, while Maleda Bisrat chairs the audit and risk committee.

The company said the structure is intended to strengthen transparency, accountability and the speed at which operational information reaches the board.

Subsidiary boards to gain greater oversight
Kefi is also extending the governance changes to its principal operating and holding companies.

All nonexecutive directors are expected to join the boards of KME Minerals Ethiopia Holdings Share Company (KMEH), which is wholly owned by Kefi, and Tulu Kapi Gold Mines Share Company (TKGM), in which Kefi holds a 95% interest.

Senior management executives will also take on additional responsibilities within the Ethiopian subsidiaries.

Group COO Eddy Solbrandt will serve as a director of KMEH and deputy chair of TKGM, while Ethiopia Country Adviser Abera Mamo will become deputy chair of KMEH.

Simon Cleghorn will continue as Managing Director of TKGM.

The expanded structure is intended to strengthen local accountability while ensuring that operational decisions and project risks remain closely connected to the group-level board.

Tulu Kapi development remains central to Kefi strategy
Kefi’s governance changes come as the company prepares for the next stage of development at its Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia.

The company expects commercial production at Tulu Kapi to begin around mid-2028, subject to the project’s development programme.

As the project moves towards production, Kefi plans a further executive transition. A new CEO is expected to be appointed, while the current executive chairperson will transition to a nonexecutive chairperson role.

A successor will also be appointed for the retiring finance director.

The planned transition is designed to ensure that Kefi’s leadership structure evolves alongside the company as it moves from project development into production.

Kefi expands oversight across Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia
Kefi said its governance strategy extends beyond its Ethiopian operations.

In Saudi Arabia, Gold and Minerals Limited has recently expanded its board and is establishing an appropriate board committee to provide operational oversight as the company prepares for project development.

The move reflects Kefi’s broader strategy of building governance structures capable of supporting multiple mining projects across different jurisdictions.

“Kefi’s organisational structure is being expanded and refined in preparation for its next stage,” said executive chairperson Harry Anagnostaras-Adams.

He said Callow’s appointment would bring “first-class hands-on African mine development experience” to the company, with a particular focus on project development and future operations.

Anagnostaras-Adams added that the governance changes are designed to maximise transparency and improve the flow of information across Kefi and its subsidiaries.

Governance becomes increasingly important as Kefi approaches development
Kefi’s decision to strengthen its board and subsidiary governance comes as the company moves closer to developing its principal mining assets.

The appointment of an executive with Callow’s extensive African operational background provides additional expertise as Kefi navigates the technical, financial and operational challenges associated with bringing large-scale mining projects into production.

With Tulu Kapi progressing towards its targeted 2028 production start and Kefi continuing to develop opportunities in Saudi Arabia, the company’s strengthened governance framework is expected to play an increasingly important role in managing project execution, operational risks and long-term growth.