B2Gold Corp. has announced that its long-serving president and chief executive officer, Clive Johnson, will retire from his role at the company’s annual general meeting scheduled for 4 June 2026, marking the end of a 19-year tenure at the helm of the Vancouver-based gold producer.
The board has appointed Mike Cinnamond, currently senior vice president, finance and chief financial officer, to succeed Johnson as president and CEO with effect from 4 June 2026.
Cinnamond will also join the company’s board of directors, replacing Johnson.
Johnson, who co-founded B2Gold in 2007, led the transformation of the company from a junior exploration outfit into an international gold producer with four operating mines producing about one million ounces of gold annually, alongside a pipeline of development and exploration projects across multiple jurisdictions.
In recognition of his role in founding and building the company, Johnson will be named Chair Emeritus, a position intended to ensure his continued availability to the board and senior management.
“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 in making this decision 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 experience in strategy, corporate development, capital allocation and financial management across global projects would ensure continuity and a smooth transition.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead B2Gold,” Cinnamond said. “The Company has great assets and great people and is well positioned for the future.”
Board chair Kelvin Dushnisky described the move as the result of a “thorough and orderly succession process”.
It said the leadership changes would ensure continuity while positioning the company for its next phase of growth.
As part of the governance reshuffle, Dushnisky will transition from chair to executive chair effective 23 February 2026.
He previously served as president and CEO of AngloGold Ashanti and held senior leadership roles at Barrick Gold, including serving as president and a board member.
Greg Barnes has been appointed as the lead independent director, effective 23 February 2026. Barnes brings more than three decades of mining industry experience, including as managing director and head of mining equity research at TD Securities.
Michael McDonald, currently vice president for investor relations, corporate development and treasury, will succeed Cinnamond as chief financial officer on 4 June 2026.
McDonald has two decades of experience in finance and capital markets, including roles at Goldcorp, SSR Mining and Gold Standard Ventures.
The leadership transition comes as B2Gold continues to operate and advance assets in several countries, including Namibia, where it owns and operates the Otjikoto gold mine in the Otjozondjupa Region.
