With more than 30 years of international experience in the mining industry, Viljoen is widely recognised for her leadership in operational excellence, safety culture, and building high-performance teams across global mining operations. Her participation reinforces the presence of some of the most influential leaders shaping the future of the sector.
At WMC 2026, Viljoen will take part in the Day 2 panel discussion “Systems View: Getting More from What We Already Have,” where she will join industry leaders Mikael Staffas (CEO, Boliden), Mark Cutifani (Partner, Odin Partnership), and Roque Benavides (Chairman, Buenaventura). The discussion will explore how mining companies can unlock greater value from existing assets while improving productivity and delivering metals responsibly.
Prior to becoming CEO of Newmont, Viljoen served as Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American Platinum, the world’s largest primary producer of platinum, and previously held senior leadership roles at Anglo American, BHP, and Lonmin. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for driving operational discipline, strengthening safety performance, and leading complex global operations.
Viljoen’s connection to the mining industry began early, accompanying her father, a winding engine driver, to work. That early exposure shaped her conviction that mining can be a powerful force for progress when innovation is combined with responsible practices.
Mining productivity
At Newmont, Natascha’s focus on safety, operational excellence and portfolio optimisation supports stronger productivity and long-term value.
Her participation will be part of the Day 2 discussions focused on productivity and unlocking value, a central theme of the Congress agenda under the global framework “Mining for the Future: Trust, Transformation, Technology.”
The World Mining Congress 2026 is expected to bring together more than 3000 leaders from governments, mining companies, academia, and international organisations, making Lima a global hub for strategic dialogue on the future of mining.
Registration for WMC 2026 is currently open through the official website: wmc2026.org.