Barrick names Helen Cai as CFO and unveils major Fourmile gold discovery
Barrick Mining will appoint Helen Cai as CFO on March 1, 2026, succeeding Graham Shuttleworth after year-end results and ensuring a phased handover. The company also confirmed a major gold discovery at Fourmile in Nevada, potentially this century’s most significant find, materially augmenting its long-term resource base.
1. Barrick Appoints Helen Cai as CFO
Barrick Mining Corporation announced that Helen Cai will assume the role of Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective March 1, 2026. Cai will succeed Graham Shuttleworth, who is departing after the company’s year-end results are filed. The transition period will include a structured handover, during which Cai and Shuttleworth will collaborate on Barrick’s 2025 financial closing and reporting processes to ensure continuity in capital allocation and risk management strategies.
2. Extensive Financial and Sector Expertise
Helen Cai has served on Barrick’s board since November 2021 and brings over twenty years of experience in equity research, corporate finance, strategic planning, capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. Her career highlights include top-ranked research analyst coverage by Institutional Investor and Asiamoney, and leading investment-banking transactions recognized by The Asset. Cai holds CFA and CAIA designations and holds degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University, positioning her to drive Barrick’s disciplined growth agenda.
3. Leadership Commentary and Strategic Implications
Mark Hill, Group COO and Interim CEO, emphasized that Cai’s appointment strengthens Barrick’s executive bench as the company focuses on enhancing operational performance and maximizing shareholder value. Hill cited Cai’s deep financial acumen and sector insight as critical for executing the company’s multi-asset development pipeline. Investors should note that this leadership change comes at a pivotal moment as Barrick ramps up exploration and expansion projects across North America and Africa.
4. Departure of Long-Standing CFO
Graham Shuttleworth, who has served as CFO since 2019, will leave Barrick after overseeing the company’s response to volatile commodity markets and successfully refinancing $3.5 billion of debt commitments during his tenure. Under his financial stewardship, Barrick maintained investment-grade credit metrics, reduced net debt by over 20% and returned more than $2 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. His exit marks the end of a seven-year chapter in which Barrick strengthened its balance sheet and expanded its gold and copper production base.