International Battery Metals Announces CEO Transition
Rhea-AI Summary
International Battery Metals (OTCQB:IBATF, TSXV:IBAT) appointed Senior Vice President of Corporate Development Garrett Galloway as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The move follows the resignation of Joseph Mills as CEO and director, effective July 21, 2026, to focus on personal interests.
According to International Battery Metals, Mills will serve in an advisory role and remain available through September 19, 2026 to support an orderly leadership transition. Chairman John Burba said the company continues to pursue project opportunities in the Smackover region, the Middle East, and to evaluate projects across North and South America, with strategic priorities remaining unchanged.
Galloway has served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development since May 2025 and has over 15 years of energy industry experience, including finance, M&A, complex transactions, and capital markets roles. IBAT develops modular, transportable direct lithium extraction (DLE) systems using patented extraction media and columns aimed at efficiently extracting lithium chloride from brine and produced water while targeting minimal environmental impact.
Positive
- Interim CEO appointed with 15+ years industry experience
- Orderly transition supported by outgoing CEO advisory role through September 19, 2026
- Strategic priorities and project pipeline stated as unchanged
Negative
- CEO and director Joseph Mills resigned effective July 21, 2026
- Leadership in interim status pending permanent CEO decision
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Garrett Galloway, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Named Interim CEO
VANCOUVER, BC AND HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 27, 2026 / International Battery Metals Ltd. ("IBAT" or the "Company") (TSXV:IBAT)(OTCQB:IBATF), an advanced technology provider of modular direct lithium extraction (DLE) systems, today announced the appointment of Garrett Galloway, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Galloway's appointment follows the resignation of Joseph Mills as CEO and from the Company's Board of Directors, each effective July 21, 2026, to spend time with his family, travel and pursue other opportunities. Mills will transition to an advisory role and remain available to the Company through September 19, 2026 to assist with an orderly transition.
John Burba, Chairman of International Battery Metals, commented:
"We are continuing to pursue project opportunities in the Smackover and the Middle East as well as evaluations across North America and South America. The priorities and initiatives established over the past several months remain unchanged, and we have the team in place to capitalize on these opportunities. In his role, Garrett has played a leading role with partners and counterparties to advance discussions, and the Board has full confidence in his ability to drive that work forward as Interim CEO.
"On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Joe for his leadership and the foundation he helped build at IBAT. We are grateful he will remain available to support a smooth transition."
Galloway has served as the Company's Senior Vice President of Corporate Development since May 2025. He has over 15 years of experience in the energy industry including multiple finance positions, mergers and acquisitions, complex transactions and debt and equity capital markets. Prior to IBAT, Galloway was Vice President of Finance at QuarterNorth Energy, where he served in various roles from August 2021 until May 2024 and played a key role in establishing that company's strategy and its successful divestiture to Talos Energy, which returned approximately
About International Battery Metals Ltd.
IBAT's direct lithium extraction technology is based on proprietary lithium extraction media housed in patented extraction columns. The columns are enclosed in modular, transportable skid mounted platforms that can be transported and commissioned into production within a reasonably short time frame.
Utilizing the patented technology, the Company's focus has been on advancing extraction of lithium chloride from ground water salt brine and produced water deposits. The Company's unique patented technology ensures efficient delivery of lithium chloride while ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Investor Relations contact:
Brian Siegel, IRC, MBA
Senior Managing Director
Hayden IR
(346) 396-8696
brian@haydenir.com
Neither the TSXV, the OTCQB nor their respective Regulation Services Providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
SOURCE: International Battery Metals Ltd.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire