Natascha Viljoen: Meet South African-born executive who becomes first woman to head $99bn world’s largest gold miner

Newmont announced that Viljoen, who currently serves as its Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of President and CEO on January 1, 2026, following the retirement of Tom Palmer.

The appointment marks a defining moment for gender representation in the global mining sector, and a proud milestone for Africa’s mining community.

Born in Klerksdorp, a mining town in South Africa’s North West province, Viljoen’s journey from a trainee engineer at Iscor in 1991 to the top of an American corporate powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable.

“Natascha has proven to be an expert operator and an inspiring leader,” said Newmont Chairperson Greg Boyce, praising her performance as COO over the past two years.

Viljoen holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of the North West and an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town.

Over three decades, she has worked across global giants such as BHP, AngloGold, and Lonmin, and later became CEO of Anglo American Platinum in 2020, one of the few women to lead a major global mining firm.

At Anglo American Platinum, she earned respect for her focus on operational safety and efficiency, especially during periods of social and market volatility that tested the resilience of South Africa’s mining sector.

In 2023, she joined Newmont as COO, managing operations across several continents, a role that set the stage for her upcoming historic promotion.

Outgoing CEO Tom Palmer, who will retire at the end of 2025, said it was “the right time to hand over to someone with Natascha’s experience and vision.”

Her appointment comes as the global mining industry faces pressure to balance profitability with sustainability and social accountability. Viljoen’s deep experience in environmental management and stakeholder engagement is expected to guide Newmont through a new era of responsible mining.

Her rise not only cements Africa’s influence in global industry leadership but also symbolizes a breakthrough for women across sectors long dominated by men.