Newmont Corporation has announced, as part of the Company’s long-term leadership succession planning, that Tom Palmer, who has served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since 2019, will resign from its Board of Directors and as CEO on December 31, 2025.
Natascha Viljoen will become CEO of Newmont on January 1, 2026
Natascha Viljoen, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will succeed Palmer as President and CEO and will also join the Board of Directors on January 1, 2026. Palmer will serve as Strategic Advisor until his retirement on March 31, 2026 to support a seamless leadership transition.
Palmer was only the 10th CEO in Newmont’s 104-year history and has served the Company for more than a decade. He joined Newmont in 2014 as Senior Vice President, Indonesia and by 2016 was named Executive Vice President (EVP) and COO.
“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,” said Palmer. “It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of Newmont. I thank our Board for its guidance and partnership throughout my time in the role, our Executive Leadership Team and all of our teams across the world for their support in shaping our business into the industry leader it is today. I am confident that Natascha and Newmont will seize the many opportunities that lie ahead for our business.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank Tom for his dedication to the growth and advancement of this business,” said Greg Boyce, Chair of Newmont’s Board of Directors. “His knowledge of our operations, commitment to the development of our future leaders and passion for the industry have played a key role in shaping what is one of the strongest portfolios in the industry today.
“We are delighted to welcome Natascha as our next CEO. Over the last two years as our COO, Natascha has proven to be an expert operator and inspiring leader. We are fortunate to have Natascha lead Newmont with a clear focus on unlocking value across our world-class portfolio.”
Natascha Viljoen joined Newmont in 2023 as EVP and COO, bringing with her more than three decades of global leadership experience across multiple commodities and continents. Prior to joining Newmont, she served as CEO of Anglo American Platinum (now Valterra), the world’s largest primary producer of platinum, and was a member of the Anglo American plc Group Management Committee. Earlier in her career, she gained hands-on experience working with operators and maintainers in mining and processing and held leadership positions at Anglo American, BHP and Lonmin, earning a reputation for safety leadership, operational discipline, and building high-performance teams.
“I am honored to serve as the next CEO of Newmont at this pivotal moment. 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 judicious capital allocation to ensure strong financial performance, systematically 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 express my gratitude to Tom for his mentorship and support, and to the Board for entrusting me with the responsibility to lead Newmont into its next phase of growth,” said Viljoen.
About Natascha Viljoen
Natascha Viljoen is President and Chief Operating Officer of Newmont Corporation, the world’s leading gold company, and will become Chief Executive Officer and join the Board of Directors on January 1, 2026, becoming the first woman to lead Newmont in its more than 100-year history.
Since joining Newmont in 2023, Natascha has overseen the company’s operations, focusing on the integration of acquired assets, portfolio optimization, and talent development. With more than 30 years of international mining experience, she has held senior leadership roles across multiple commodities and continents.
Natascha is a second-generation miner. Her early exposure to mining—growing up in a mining family and accompanying her father, a winding engine driver, to work—instilled in her a deep respect for the industry and its people.
A native of South Africa, Natascha is passionate about the role of mining as a force for good, integrating innovation with responsible practices to deliver value for shareholders, employees, host communities, and society. She combines deep technical expertise with strategic execution, focusing on operational excellence, and embedding sustainability and safety into the company’s growth trajectory.
