ASX-listed Hastings Technology Metals has appointed Vince Catania as CEO.

Catania, who joined Hastings in January 2023 as general manager of corporate, assumes the CEO role effective immediately.

During his tenure, he led negotiations for the Yangibana joint venture (JV) and managed environmental approvals and stakeholder agreements for the Yangibana rare earths and niobium project in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region.

“I am excited to commence the role of CEO with Hastings and building on what has been a pivotal first half of 2025 for the company,” said Catania.

“I look forward to working closely with Wyloo as we move Yangibana further along the construction path and into FID, as well as working to progress our broader portfolio of assets including the Brockman heavy rare earths and niobium project and the Whiteheads gold project."

Before joining the company, Catania served as a member of the Western Australian Parliament for 18 years, representing the North West region that includes the Yangibana project area. He will continue to represent Hastings’ interests as a key member of the JV management team.

“Vince’s journey with the Yangibana project commenced when he was the local MP for North West which included Yangibana and has had a long association with our project,” said executive chairperson Charles Lew.

“I am pleased that he came to join us more than two years ago when he retired from Parliament. Since then, he has been a valuable addition to the management team and contributed to a number of key areas of our business including managing the partnership with Wyloo. As Hastings continues to develop, Vince will lead the work on the Yangibana JV as well as the permitting processes required to bring our Whiteheads gold project into mining.”

In a further boardroom change, Hastings announced the retirement of Neil Hackett as nonexecutive director and joint company secretary, effective immediately. Hackett joined the board in November 2018 and has served as chair of the audit committee and a member of the environmental, social and governance committee.

During his tenure, he was closely involved in the development of the Yangibana project. The company said it “thanks Neil for his contribution and wishes him all the best as he focuses on his portfolio of private company board engagements".