LEADERS SURVEY: How CEO Stuart Tonkin keeps Northern Star Resources golden

There’s arguably never been a better time to be leading Australia’s biggest gold producer. But Stuart Tonkin has learnt from the underground up it takes a lot more than just surging prices to unite and drive a team.

The managing director and chief executive of Northern Star Resources tells The Nightly his leadership style is a “blend of authoritative and coaching” that has evolved over the years. He reckons it’s acumen derived through learning from others, and observing what they do well (and not so well).

But even as a young underground miner, the MD recounts people decades his senior were often after his opinion.

“Not because I was an engineer but because we were doing a job together,” he says “You therefore had involvement in the solution — it’s something I still value. I continue to focus on including people’s views around how we can get things done. It brings people together and you get the best outcomes.”

He joined Northern Star as chief operating officer in 2013, back when the miner was being run by fellow West Australian mining exec Bill Beament.

Mr Tonkin was named chief executive in 2016, and added managing director to his title in 2021 after a transformational merger with Saracen Minerals that gave Northern Star the keys to its number one asset, Kalgoorlie’s Super Pit.

“In my time with Northern Star our business has changed from an entrepreneurial focus on growth through acquisitions to maximising value from a mature operating business with a 7000-strong workforce,” the CEO says.

With a huge expansion project under way to add another seven years to arguably one of the most famous gold mines in the country, Mr Tonkin says it’s important to keep staff motivated.

Removing barriers and making sure NST’s people get the opportunity for development and promotions are critical factors in doing this.

“Today, a key focus for me is to align the team and enhance culture to deliver on our strategy. We want people to pull in the same direction, so listening and understanding motivations and behavioural drivers are really important.”

As the man leading the team, Mr Tonkin says it’s important to be “authentic, empathetic and visible”.

“Setting the standard and leading by example. As a leader you have to bring your team along for the journey, explain the ‘why’ behind decisions — and make sure you empower the next generation of leaders.”

And as a Western Australian School of Mines alumnus, and big advocate for his sector, the next generation is important to Mr Tonkin.

He thinks changing the stigma about mining would be a good start in getting young people interested in resources.

“Stop scaring them about mining. Raise educational awareness throughout primary and secondary schooling of the benefits and necessity of a strong mining sector,” he tells The Nightly.

“Mining camps that run through schools are important. I went on one of those mining camps during my school holidays — I went to Kalgoorlie for four days and came back hooked on mining. That was 35 years ago.”

While Mr Tonkin is no doubt quietly enjoying a record run in gold prices, he’s seen enough commodity cycles to know a miner has to do their part to see through the good times and bad.

“Northern Star’s strategy is to focus on what we can control — and the gold price isn’t one of those. But we have deliberately positioned the business to be leveraged to gold price upside.

“We focus on growing production, lowering unit costs and extending mine lives.

“Through our strategy, we have successfully established an asset portfolio that is sustainable throughout the commodity cycles.”