Newmont has completed its chief operating officer (COO) transition, welcoming Natascha Viljoen to the role.
Outgoing COO Rob Atkinson has transitioned all remaining responsibilities to Viljoen and will step down from the Newmont executive leadership team from May 2, 2024.
“Rob Atkinson has played a pivotal leadership role in Newmont in recent years,” Newmont president and chief executive officer Tom Palmer said.
“Through his visible and engaging leadership, Rob drove the Fatality Risk Management program, achieving five-year fatality free performance.
“He has also played a key role in many significant milestones and events, successfully managing the integration of Goldcorp in 2019, helping to effectively steer the business through the global pandemic, and supporting the completion of the Newcrest acquisition last year.”
Atkinson has been with Newmont since 2019, when he joined as executive vice president and coo.
“I want to personally thank Rob for his leadership and the many contributions to Newmont’s operational excellence during his leadership tenure and I wish him the very best for the future,” Palmer said.
Atkinson has held a variety of roles leading operations and business improvement efforts in Australia, the UK, and the US. He also holds a First Class Honours Bachelor’s degree in Mining and Petroleum Engineering from Strathclyde University in Scotland.
Subscribe to PNG Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.