During his career of over 20 years in the listed company environment, he most recently spent eight years as FMG's finance group manager. He also held senior roles at Lend Leasae and Rio Tinto.

The company said Hughes had credentials in capital raisings and project finance structuring.

Managing director Benjamin Bell said Hughes immediate experience was "an ideal fit for Australian Mines, as we prepare to commence our transition from explorer to project developer following the imminent release of a bankable feasibility study on our Sconi cobalt-nickel-scandium project".

He will formally join Australian Mines on December 3.