South African expat Natascha Viljoen gets top job at American mining giant

South African-born mining executive Natascha Viljoen is set to make history by becoming the next President and CEO of Newmont Corporation, the world’s largest gold mining company.

Viljoen, a native of the North West province, will officially assume the role on 1 January 2026, succeeding Tom Palmer. This achievement marks the first time a woman will lead the $99.45 billion (R1.72 trillion) American giant in its 104-year history.

The historic promotion comes after Viljoen served two highly praised years as Newmont’s chief operating officer. Prior to joining Newmont in 2023, she was the respected CEO of Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), a role she held after joining the company in April 2020.

In 2020 and 2021, the South African expat was already recognised globally, getting listed twice on Forbes’ Most Powerful Women International list in 2020 and 2021.

Natascha Viljoen: Newmont star’s background

Viljoen’s journey serves as a beacon for South African expats across the globe, showcasing excellence nurtured right here at home.

She was born in Klerksdorp, a historic mining town, and started her impressive career in 1991 as a trainee engineer at Iscor. A proud second-generation miner, she attributes her deep respect for the industry to her childhood exposure, often accompanying her father, a winding engine driver, to work.

Viljoen holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of the North West and an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town. Her extensive career, spanning over three decades, includes senior leadership positions across multiple commodities at global giants such as Lonmin, BHP and AngloGold.

Her leadership at Amplats was noted for her focus on operational efficiency and safety, particularly during volatile times in South Africa’s mining sector.

Viljoen is expected to guide Newmont into a new era of responsible mining, combining operational excellence with strategic execution.

Outgoing CEO Palmer has praised Viljoen’s vision, noting that her experience would be vital as the industry faces increasing pressure to balance profitability with environmental and social accountability.