The world’s biggest gold miner, Newmont, has appointed Natascha Viljoen as its new president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2026.
Viljoen will succeed Tom Palmer, who has served as CEO since 2019. Palmer will step down from Newmont’s board of directors and his executive role on December 31, 2025. He will remain as a strategic advisor until his retirement on March 31, 2026, to support a smooth leadership transition, the company said.
Viljoen joined Newmont in 2023 as executive vice president and chief operating officer, bringing more than three decades of global leadership experience across multiple commodities and continents. She will become the company’s eleventh chief executive and the first woman to lead the 104-year-old business.
“I am honoured to serve as Newmont’s next chief executive at such a pivotal moment in its operations and history,” Viljoen said. “With deep respect for our legacy, I am grounded about the work ahead.
“We have assembled the industry’s strongest portfolio of long-life gold and copper assets, which we are determined to manage safely and effectively. We will combine operational excellence, cost discipline and careful capital allocation to ensure strong financial performance, unlocking more value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.
“Together with our employees, we will shape a Newmont that is stronger, simpler and more resilient. I want to thank Tom for his mentorship and support, and the Board for entrusting me with the responsibility to lead Newmont into its next phase of growth.”
Outgoing chief executive Tom Palmer expressed confidence in Viljoen’s ability to guide the company.
“After 12 years with Newmont, and almost 40 years in the mining industry, it is time for me to retire and hand over to Natascha to lead our company through the next chapter in its storied history,” Palmer said. “I am confident that Natascha and Newmont will seize the many opportunities that lie ahead.”
A native of South Africa and a second-generation miner, Viljoen grew up in a mining family. The company noted that her early experiences – accompanying her father, a winding engine driver, to work – instilled in her a deep respect for the industry and its people.