International Battery Metals (IBATF) shifts leadership, appoints interim CEO
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
International Battery Metals Ltd. reported a leadership transition in which Joseph Mills resigned as Chief Executive Officer and from the Board of Directors effective July 21, 2026. He will serve in an advisory role and assist with an orderly transition through September 19, 2026, and the company states his resignation did not arise from any disagreement over operations, policies, or practices.
The Board appointed James Garrett Galloway$100,000, payable in monthly installments of approximately $8,333, while continuing in his corporate development role. The company reports no family relationships, appointment arrangements, or related-party transactions involving Mr. Galloway and furnished a press release describing the transition.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- CEO and director resignation: Joseph Mills resigned as Chief Executive Officer and from the Board effective July 21, 2026, representing a significant leadership change.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
direct lithium extraction technical
reserve-based lending financial
Emerging growth company regulatory
Regulation FD Disclosure regulatory
Smackover technical
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FAQ
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
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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 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§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.
Resignation of Chief Executive Officer
Effective July 21, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), Joseph Mills resigned from his roles as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of International Battery Metals Ltd. (the “Company”). Mr. Mills will transition to an advisory role effective immediately and will assist with an orderly transition through his departure date of September 19, 2026. Mr. Mills’ resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to operations, policies, or practices.
Appointment of Interim Chief Executive Officer
The Board appointed James Garrett Galloway as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective July 27, 2026.
Mr. Galloway, age 39, 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 joining the Company, Mr. Galloway served as Vice President of Finance at QuarterNorth Energy, an oil and gas exploration and production company, from August 2021 until May 2024, where he played a key role in establishing that company's strategy and its successful divestiture to Talos Energy, an oil and gas company specializing in the exploration, development, and production of offshore energy resources. Before QuarterNorth, he served in various finance and corporate roles at Fieldwood Energy LLC from August 2013 until August 2021. His prior experience includes finance and corporate roles of increasing responsibility at Midstates Petroleum and Dynamic Offshore Resources. He began his career in the energy group of BOK Financial focused on reserved-based lending and corporate banking needs of upstream oil and gas clients. Mr. Galloway has a bachelor's degree in business and finance from the University of Alabama.
In connection with his appointment as Interim Chief Executive Officer, the Board approved cash compensation for Mr. Galloway at an annualized rate of $100,000, payable in equal monthly installments of approximately $8,333 for each month he serves in that capacity, effective July 22, 2026. This compensation is in addition to the compensation Mr. Galloway receives in his role as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development.
There are no family relationships between Mr. Galloway and any director or executive officer of the Company. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Galloway and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer. There are no transactions between the Company and Mr. Galloway that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 7.01 — Regulation FD Disclosure.
On July 27, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the leadership transition described in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
The information in this Item 7.01, 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 into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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Press Release issued by International Battery Metals Ltd., dated July 27, 2026 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
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.
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International Battery Metals LTD.
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/s/ Michael Rutledge |
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July 27, 2026 |
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Michael Rutledge |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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INTERNATIONAL BATTERY METALS ANNOUNCES CEO TRANSITION
Garrett Galloway, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Named Interim CEO
VANCOUVER, BC, AND HOUSTON, TX / 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. Mr. 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. Mr. 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."
Mr. 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, Mr. 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 (NYSE: TALO), which returned approximately $1.9 billion in capital to shareholders. Before QuarterNorth, he served in various finance and corporate roles at Fieldwood Energy LLC from August 2013 until August 2021. His prior experience includes finance and corporate roles of increasing responsibility at Midstates Petroleum and Dynamic Offshore Resources. He began his career in the energy group of BOK Financial focused on reserve-based lending and the corporate banking needs of upstream oil and gas clients. Mr. Galloway holds a bachelor's degree in business and finance from the University of Alabama.
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.