Regulatory Alerts2026-04-17
Former Beacon Minerals Project Manager Alexander McCulloch Pleads Guilty to Insider Trading
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions prosecuted Alexander John McCulloch, a former project manager at Beacon Minerals Limited, following a referral from ASIC. McCulloch pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court of Western Australia to insider trading charges related to two trades executed in January 2017 using inside information about the Jaurdi Gold Project. He will appear for a sentencing hearing on 23 September 2026 after one of the original charges was discontinued.
Alexander John McCulloch, a former project manager at Beacon Minerals Limited, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on 16 April 2026 to one rolled-up count of insider trading (amended to include two trades). One count of insider trading was discontinued.
In January 2017, Mr McCulloch procured two associates, Christopher Allan Gall and Thomas James Collins, to acquire 11 million shares in Beacon Minerals while he was in possession of inside information.
At the time, Mr McCulloch was responsible for managing the gold exploration drilling program for Beacon’s Jaurdi Gold Project.
Mr McCulloch previously pleaded not guilty to two charges of insider trading, and the matter was provisionally listed for trial from 9-20 November 2026.
Mr McCulloch will now appear for a sentence hearing on 23 September 2026.
This matter is being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) following a referral from ASIC.