If you are a mining or resources executive, general manager, or professional receiving employee share scheme awards, you have likely noticed encouraging developments in recent months. Many mining company share prices have moved strongly higher, particularly copper and gold companies, which continue to attract strong market interest. Industry analysis, including findings from S&P Global, shows that global copper demand continues to strengthen due to electrification¹.
For most people with Executive Share Schemes (ESS), this means one thing. Your shares have risen in value and for some, by a significant quantum.
It feels good to open your portfolio and view that result, the next thought is usually, “Should I be doing something about this?”
The simple answer is yes! When share prices move to multi‑year highs, it is an ideal moment to reassess your position. The goal is not to sell everything. The goal is to ensure you convert opportunity into long‑term value for yourself and your family.
At Resources Unearthed, we work with mining and resources professionals every day, and this is a conversation we have often. Strong markets can be powerful wealth‑building moments, provided you take intentional action.
This article explains why this is the right time to review your holdings, and how you can use your ESS shares to strengthen your long‑term financial position.
A Strong Share Price Is a Prompt to Review Your Holdings
When your company shares are performing well, it is a timely point to pause and assess your exposure. Reviewing your position helps you reduce risk, protect gains, and convert employer‑funded rewards into personal financial progress.
A few questions can guide your thinking.
- How much of your total wealth sits in employer shares?
This is one of the most common challenges we see. Over years of service, ESS allocations can grow quickly, often outpacing other assets. It is not uncommon for executives and professionals to find that a significant portion of their wealth is tied to one company and one sector. This creates concentration risk, whereby the performance of the company you work for has a significant impact on your financial position and your ability to reach and maintain financial independence.
- Do you have a clear purpose or plan for these shares?
Some people hold for retirement or financial independence, while some aim for a certain share price before selling. Others simply accumulate without a clear strategy. If the current value could help you achieve a meaningful goal, it may be time to act. For some people, this includes using a staggered selling method, which can help reduce pressure around choosing the perfect moment to sell.
Why Taking Action Now Can Be a Smart Decision
Mining markets are cyclical, with commodity prices, consumer and investor sentiment rising and falling over time. When prices and conditions are favourable, it can be an ideal moment to capture value, strengthen your long-term financial position, and build resilience for the next cycle.
If a large portion of your wealth is concentrated in one employer and you are ESS top heavy, you may be exposed to more risk than you intend. Reducing that concentration by selling a portion of your ESS shares allows you to diversify into areas that are more stable or better aligned with your long-term goals.
High share prices can also create a rare window to diversify your wealth, reduce debt, contribute to your spouse’s superannuation, or improve asset protection through considered structuring. These choices can significantly enhance your long‑term resilience, especially given the responsibilities and legal exposure associated with senior roles.
Acting does not mean missing future upside. It means you balance opportunity with protection for your accumulated assets, and your financial independence.
Include All Holdings in Your Review: Spouse, Trust, and Super
Many mining professionals hold shares in more than one entity. Shares may have been transferred to a spouse, held through a family trust, or contributed to a self-managed superannuation fund.
These parcels often grow quietly in the background and may now represent significant value.
A coordinated review across all entities ensures you:
- Understand your total exposure and tax position if you were to transact on any shares held
- Balance risk across structures
- Manage tax effectively
- Avoid accidental over concentration
This comprehensive perspective helps you make stronger decisions with more confidence.
Capital Gains Tax: Why It Should Not Stop You from Acting
Tax is often one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to sell. However, paying capital gains tax means you have realised a profit. In Australia, shares held personally or within a trust, for more than 12 months receive a 50 percent CGT discount, meaning you keep most of your gain.
There are also practical ways to manage the tax impact, such as spreading sales across financial years, using lower‑income spouse holdings, or making use of superannuation opportunities. Allowing tax concerns to prevent sensible action may lead to greater risk and missed opportunity.
If You Are Unsure, A Staggered Approach Can Be Considered
You might be concerned about selling too early, especially if your company continues to perform strongly. A staggered approach allows you to secure some gains now while leaving room for potential future growth. Selling gradually – whether by time, price, or personal financial milestones – removes pressure, reduces potential regret, and gives you flexibility.
We have also explored staggered selling in more detail, including how it can support more confident decision‑making when markets are moving quickly. You can read that article here: Dollar Cost Averaging v Timing The Market as Big Miners’ Shares fall
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Choosing not to act is still a decision, and it carries risks. A downturn in commodity prices or global sentiment can quickly reduce your share value. Concentration in a single company or sector increases vulnerability. Delaying action can also mean missing opportunities to reduce debt, strengthen superannuation, diversify investments, or prepare for future milestones and financial independence. A clear, deliberate strategy reduces stress and puts you back in control.
Turning a Share Windfall Into Lasting Value
Your employee share scheme is designed to reward your contribution. Ensuring that this reward strengthens your long‑term financial position is an important part of managing your career wealth.
A simple next step is to review your total holdings across entities, consider your goals and risk comfort, and seek specialist advice. From there, you can decide whether to sell a portion now, phase sales over time, or rebalance across structures.
Once proceeds are available, putting them to work – whether reducing debt, bolstering savings, strengthening superannuation, or diversifying – helps translate a market high into genuine, lasting financial strength.
A Final Thought
Strong markets do not last forever. The decisions you make now can support your financial wellbeing for many years. If you would like guidance tailored to your ESS situation, we are here to help. Our team of financial advisers specialises in ESS strategy, ESS tax minimisation and ESS legacy planning.
For more information, please contact James Marshall for a 20-minute, no-obligation discussion. You can call James at +61 (0) 7 3007 2000 or email contact@resourcesunearthed.com.au.
To learn more about James, visit this link.
Further Reading:
Unlock the full potential of your Executive Share Scheme (ESS) with our newly updated strategy paper – What You Need to Know About Executive Share Schemes – crafted specifically for mining and resources professionals. Download HERE.
Resources Unearthed is a solutions hub that connects senior executives, established professionals, and business owners in mining and resources with proven specialist advisers.
Stratus Financial Group and its advisers are Authorised Representatives of Fortnum Private Wealth ABN 54 139 889 535 AFSL 357306. This advice is general and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should not act on it without first obtaining professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.
*Please note: For financial advice and services relating to this matter that are not offered under the Fortnum Private Wealth AFSL, in accordance with our collaborative advice model, when required, such matters are referred to appropriately qualified professionals.
[1] Copper Supply Gap to Widen
