Golden Minerals to appoint David Watkins CEO Sept. 30
Golden Minerals is changing CEOs on September 30, 2026 and preparing a first-stage drill program at its Desierto project in Argentina.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Golden Minerals Company (AUMN) announces a leadership transition and an exploration update. Pablo Castanos has resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 30, 2026 and will remain on the Board of Directors. The Board states that his resignation is not due to any disagreement regarding operations, policies or practices.
Effective September 30, 2026, the Board has appointed director David H. Watkins
Golden Minerals also highlights developments at its Argentine projects. Its partner Cascadero Copper Corporation has announced an agreement to sell its interests in the Sarita Este and Desierto projects, among others, to Lumina Copper Corporation, an affiliate of First Quantum Minerals, Ltd., and Golden Minerals indicates it looks forward to working with First Quantum if the sale is completed. The company is planning a first-stage drill program at the Desierto concessions targeting potentially deep mineralization and expects to announce details of this drilling program later in September 2026.
Positive
- Experienced industry executive appointed CEO: Long-time director David H. Watkins, with over 50 years of mining experience and a history of senior roles at multiple mining companies, will become President and CEO on September 30, 2026.
- Planned drilling at Argentine Desierto project: Golden Minerals is preparing a first-stage drill program to test potentially deep mineralization at its Desierto concessions in Argentina, with details expected later in September 2026.
Negative
- Sitting CEO resigns: President and Chief Executive Officer Pablo Castanos is resigning effective September 30, 2026, which represents a change in senior leadership.
- Key partner interest changing hands: The company’s partner in the Sarita Este and Desierto projects, Cascadero Copper Corporation, has agreed to sell its interests in these projects to Lumina Copper Corporation, introducing a new counterparty relationship.
Filing Explained
The CEO transition is announced but not yet effective: David H. Watkins takes over on
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
forward-looking statements regulatory
Emerging growth company regulatory
Regulation S-K regulatory
drill program technical
Desierto concessions technical
FAQ
What leadership change did Golden Minerals (AUMN) announce?
Who is the new CEO of Golden Minerals (AUMN) and what is his background?
Did Golden Minerals (AUMN) explain why Pablo Castanos resigned?
What update did Golden Minerals (AUMN) provide on its Argentine projects?
What exploration activity is Golden Minerals (AUMN) planning at Desierto?
Has Golden Minerals (AUMN) set compensation terms for the new CEO?
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
Current Report
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Departure of President and Chief Executive Officer
On September 4, 2026, Pablo Castanos notified Golden Minerals Company (the “Company”) of his resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective September 30, 2026. Mr. Castanos will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). Mr. Castanos’s resignation is not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
Appointment of President and Chief Executive Officer
On September 10, 2026, the Board appointed David H. Watkins, a current member of the Board, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective September 30, 2026. Mr. Watkins will continue to serve as a member of the Board.
Mr. Watkins, 81, has served as a director of the Company since March 2009. Mr. Watkins is an exploration geologist with over 50 years of experience in the mining industry as a senior executive with major mining companies and with junior exploration and development companies. From 2011 to 2016, Mr. Watkins served as Chairman of Atna Resources Ltd. (“ATNA”), a company engaged in the exploration, development and production of gold properties. Mr. Watkins previously served ATNA as Executive Chairman from June 2010 to June 2011 and Chief Executive Officer from March 2000 to June 2010. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Watkins served as Senior Vice President, Exploration of Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, a producer of commodities including copper, gold, molybdenum, lithium and coal. Prior to his employment with Cyprus Amax, Mr. Watkins served as President of Minova Inc., a producer of precious metals and base metals from mining operations in Canada. Since March 2020, Mr. Watkins has served on the board of directors of Enduro Metals Corporation. Mr. Watkins previously served on the board of directors of Argonaut Gold Inc. (2012–2016), Bearing Lithium Corporation (2012–2014), Camino Minerals Corporation (2010–2015), Canplatts Inc. (2008–2010), Commander Resources Ltd. (2009–2025), Euro Resources S.A. (2006–2024), Landdrill International Inc. (1999–2012), Maudore Minerals Ltd. (2004–2010), Rio Novo Gold Inc. (2011–2015), Valley High Ventures (2009 - 2011). Mr. Watkins holds a B.A. in Geology from Queen’s University at Kingston and an M.S. in Geology from Carleton University, Ottawa, and is a graduate of the Executive Business Program of the University of Western Ontario. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Geological Association of Canada, Geological Society of Nevada and Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.
The Company has not entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Watkins or determined his compensation in connection with his appointment. The Company will file an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing any material compensation arrangements made in connection with this appointment when determined.
There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Watkins and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Watkins does not have any family relationship with any of the Company’s other directors or executive officers or persons nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. Mr. Watkins has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction or proposed transaction required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On September 4, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the foregoing management changes and providing an update on its Argentine projects. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information contained in Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing by the company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated September 4, 2026. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: September 10, 2026
| Golden Minerals Company | |||
| By: | /s/ Pablo Castanos | ||
| Name: | Pablo Castanos | ||
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
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Exhibit 99.1
Golden Minerals Announces Management Change and Argentine Project Update
Denver, CO - / ACCESS NEWS WIRE/ - September 4, 2026 / Golden Minerals Company ("Golden Minerals," "Golden" or the "Company") (OTCQB: AUMN and TSX: AUMN) announces that Pablo Castanos has notified the Company of his resignation from the offices of President and CEO, effective September 30, 2026 to pursue another opportunity. Mr. Castanos will continue to serve as a director of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) thanks Mr. Castanos for his service and efforts over the past three years. The Board has appointed David Watkins, a director of the Company since 2009, as President and CEO of the Company, effective September 30, 2026, and Mr. Watkins will continue to serve as a director of the Company. Mr. Watkins is an exploration geologist and seasoned mining executive with a track record of the discovery and development of multiple base and precious metals mines around the world.
Additionally, the Company notes that its partner in the Sarita Este and Desierto projects in Argentina, Cascadero Copper Corporation, stated in its September 1, 2026 news release that it had agreed to sell its interests in these and other properties in Argentina to Lumina Copper Corporation, a wholly-owned affiliate of First Quantum Minerals, Ltd. (“First Quantum”). If the sale is completed, Golden looks forward to working with First Quantum. Golden is planning a first-stage drill program to test potentially deep mineralization similar to mineralization at First Quantum’s Taca Taca project immediately north of Golden’s targets at the Desierto concessions. The Company expects to announce the details of its drilling program later in September.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information with the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including statements regarding changes in executive management and the timing thereof; the Company’s planned first-stage drill program and anticipated exploration at the Desierto project in Argentina and the expected timing of the announcement of the details of, and any results from, that program; and the proposed sale by Cascadero Copper Corporation of its interests in the Sarita Este and Desierto projects to Lumina Copper Corporation, an affiliate of First Quantum Minerals, Ltd., and the completion and timing thereof. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including increases in costs and declines in general economic conditions; changes in political conditions, in tax, royalty, environmental and other laws in the United States, Mexico, Argentina and other jurisdictions in which the Company operates or may operate; risks associated with joint ventures and international operations; and fluctuations in silver and gold prices. Golden Minerals assumes no obligation to update this information. Additional risks relating to Golden Minerals may be found in the periodic and current reports filed with the SEC by Golden Minerals and under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
For additional information, please visit http://www.goldenminerals.com/ or contact:
Golden Minerals Company
(303) 839-5060
SOURCE: Golden Minerals Company
1312 17TH STREET, UNIT 2136, GOLDEN, COLORADO 80202 - MAIN (303) 839-5060
www.GoldenMinerals.com