Historic Leadership Change at Newmont: Natascha Viljoen to Become First Female CEO

Newmont Corporation has announced a historic leadership transition, naming Natascha Viljoen as its next Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Tom Palmer, who will retire at the end of 2025. Viljoen’s appointment marks a defining moment in the 104-year history of the world’s largest gold mining company, as she becomes Newmont’s first-ever female CEO. This milestone not only underscores Newmont’s commitment to diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of leadership but also represents a broader shift toward more representative and modern governance across the global mining industry.

Tom Palmer, Newmont’s 10th CEO, will step down on December 31, 2025, following a distinguished 12-year tenure with the company and nearly four decades in mining. He will remain as a strategic advisor through March 2026 to ensure a seamless leadership handover. During his time at the helm, Palmer was instrumental in transforming Newmont’s global footprint through a series of landmark transactions, including the 2019 Goldcorp acquisition, the formation of the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture with Barrick, and the 2023 Newcrest Mining acquisition, which positioned Newmont as a powerhouse in both gold and copper production. Under his stewardship, the company strengthened its balance sheet, enhanced sustainability practices, and consolidated its reputation as an industry leader in responsible mining.

Natascha Viljoen, who currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer, will officially assume the CEO role and join Newmont’s Board of Directors on January 1, 2026. A South African native and second-generation miner, Viljoen brings a formidable track record of operational leadership and strategic vision. Before joining Newmont in 2023, she was CEO of Anglo American Platinum, where she successfully guided the company through significant market and operational challenges while advancing its decarbonisation and innovation agendas. Her earlier career includes senior technical and leadership positions at Anglo American, BHP, and Lonmin, where she built a reputation for excellence in process engineering, safety culture, and high-performance team management.

Board Chair Greg Boyce commended Palmer’s legacy of disciplined growth and operational excellence, while expressing full confidence in Viljoen’s ability to lead Newmont into its next phase. Viljoen, in her remarks, highlighted her vision for a “stronger, simpler, and more resilient” Newmont, emphasizing her intent to unlock the full potential of the company’s portfolio of long-life, tier-one gold and copper assets. Her leadership approach, grounded in technical expertise and people-centric values, is expected to sustain Newmont’s momentum while driving continued innovation, safety, and sustainability.

This leadership transition represents more than a corporate milestone, it signals a progressive turning point for global mining leadership, especially within an industry traditionally dominated by men. Viljoen’s appointment sends a powerful message about the evolving face of executive leadership in resource industries, reinforcing the value of inclusivity and diversity in achieving long-term competitiveness. For Africa, her rise also carries symbolic significance: a South African professional leading one of the world’s most influential mining companies exemplifies the continent’s growing contribution to global mining excellence and leadership capability.

Mini-Glossary

• Chief Operating Officer (COO): The executive responsible for overseeing a company’s day-to-day operational functions and production performance.
• Goldcorp Acquisition: Newmont’s 2019 purchase of Goldcorp, which created the world’s largest gold producer by reserves and output.
• Nevada Gold Mines JV: A joint venture between Newmont and Barrick that combined their Nevada operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Newcrest Acquisition: Newmont’s 2023 acquisition of Newcrest Mining, expanding its copper and gold portfolio in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
• Tier-One Assets: Large, low-cost, long-life mining operations considered among the highest quality in the industry.
• Decarbonisation Agenda: Corporate strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to low-carbon operations.