Heavy rare earths firm Northern Minerals has replaced Nicholas Curtis as chairperson, appointing Adam Handley as part of a board restructuring.

Curtis has taken on the role of strategic adviser of the company for at least another year, to provide Northern Minerals with continued access to his rare earths and project development expertise as it advances the Browns Range project, in Western Australia.

As a result of Curtis’ retirement, Northern Minerals said on Monday that it would cancel the June 6 extraordinary general meeting that sought the removal of Curtis as a director.

The AGM of the company; however, will still be held on June 6.

Further, Northern Minerals appointed Shane Hartwig, current FD, as MD and CEO.

Both Handley and Curtis’ appointments are effective from Monday.

Handley, a Perth-based partner of global law firm HFW and immediate past president of the Australia China Business Council (WA), specialises in advising North Asian investors and their Australian counterparts to bridge business relationships across a range of sectors including resources, mining and project development. He is also the convenor and moderator of the Western Australian Premier's China WA Strategic Resources Dialogue.

In his expanded role as executive chairperson, during this period of transition as Northern Minerals advances towards a final investment decision for Browns Range, Handley’s core focus will be on strategic stakeholder engagement including across state and federal governments and with the company’s key strategic partner, Iluka Resources.

Handley said he was excited to lead the Northern Minerals’ board as it advanced its vision of delivering Browns Range as an Australia-based producer of dysprosium and terbium, two key ingredients in the world's decarbonisation efforts.

“With the full support of my fellow directors and our new MD Shane Hartwig, Northern Minerals is well positioned to execute our business strategy, including supplying Iluka Resources’ proposed integrated rare earths refinery at Eneabba, and delivering value for all shareholders,” he said.

Handley acknowledged Curtis’ contribution to Northern Minerals and said the company was grateful that he would provide strategic support over the next 12 months.

“We will continue to review the mix and skills of our board and executive team as we advance financing for Browns Range to ensure we have the right team to deliver on our commitments to all our stakeholders,” said Handley.