International gold producer B2Gold Corp has announced that its long-serving President and Chief Executive Officer, Clive Johnson, will retire at the company’s annual general meeting scheduled for 4 June 2026, marking the end of a 19-year tenure leading the company since its founding in 2007.
The company confirmed that Mike Cinnamond, currently Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed to succeed Johnson as President and CEO. Cinnamond will also join B2Gold’s Board of Directors upon assuming the role.
Johnson has overseen B2Gold’s growth from a junior exploration company into a global gold producer with four operating mines and annual production of approximately one million ounces of gold, alongside a portfolio of development and exploration projects worldwide.
In recognition of his role as founder and his contribution to the company’s expansion, B2Gold said Johnson will assume the honorary position of Chair Emeritus, allowing him to remain available to the Board and senior management during the transition.
“It has been a great privilege to have led B2Gold since its formation in 2007,” Johnson said. “Now is the right time to pass the torch, and I have every confidence in Mike to lead our next stage of growth.”
Cinnamond joined B2Gold in 2013 and has served as Chief Financial Officer since April 2014. The Board said his appointment follows a structured succession planning process and reflects his experience in corporate strategy, capital allocation and financial management across the company’s global operations.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead B2Gold,” Cinnamond said. “The company has strong assets and talented people and is well positioned for the future.”
Chair of the Board Kelvin Dushnisky described the leadership change as the outcome of a deliberate and orderly succession process designed to ensure continuity and long-term value creation.
“We are confident that Mike will help optimise the company’s operations and projects, maintain disciplined capital allocation and enhance shareholder value,” Dushnisky said, while thanking Johnson for his leadership in building the company into a leading international gold producer.
As part of wider governance changes, Dushnisky will transition from Chair of the Board to Executive Chair effective 23 February 2026, where he will play a more active role supporting the executive leadership team and providing strategic oversight.
Greg Barnes has been appointed Lead Independent Director of the Board, effective the same date. Barnes brings more than three decades of experience in the global mining industry, including senior roles in mining equity research.
The company also announced that Michael McDonald, currently Vice President for Investor Relations, Corporate Development and Treasury, will succeed Cinnamond as Chief Financial Officer from 4 June 2026. McDonald has more than 20 years of experience in finance, corporate development and capital markets within the mining sector.
B2Gold, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, operates gold mines in Canada, Mali, Namibia and the Philippines.
In Namibia, the company owns a 90% stake in the Otjikoto Mine, with the remaining 10% held by its Namibian BEE partner, EVI Mining. B2Gold operates Otjikoto, which is the country’s largest gold-producing mine and a significant contributor to Namibia’s mining industry.
