OREANDA-NEWS. Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE: NEM) (Newmont or the Company) announced that Tom Palmer will succeed Chris Robison as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on May 1, 2016. Mr. Robison reached a decision to retire – concluding a distinguished 36-year career in the mining industry – after having delivered a step-change in Newmont’s operational performance that included lowering injury rates by 50 percent, significantly reducing all-in sustaining costs per ounce of gold, and optimizing the Company’s asset portfolio and project pipeline.

Mr. Palmer joined Newmont in March 2014, bringing 20 years’ leadership experience at Rio Tinto’s bauxite and alumina, coal, copper and iron ore businesses to his role. He was initially appointed to lead the Company’s Indonesian business and less than a year later, promoted to lead the entire Asia Pacific region, which generates nearly 40 percent of Newmont’s revenues. Under Mr. Palmer’s leadership, regional operations delivered significant cost and productivity improvements; reduced total injury rates by more than 50 percent; and were recognized for leading diversity and environmental practices.

“Chris Robison has played a leading role in Newmont’s success. His legacy will include safer and more efficient operations, and a stronger portfolio and project pipeline,” said Gary Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We need an exceptional leader to take his place and Tom Palmer fits the bill. He has a long track record of turning operational performance around – as he did while leading our Asia Pacific business – and a strong commitment to improving safety and productivity at our current operations and building the next generation of profitable Newmont mines.”

Tom Palmer was elected Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific in February 2015 after serving as Senior Vice President, Indonesia since March 2014. Prior to this role, he was Chief Operating Officer, Pilbara Mines at Rio Tinto Iron Ore. His 25-year career includes leadership roles in Rio Tinto’s bauxite and alumina, coal, copper and iron ore businesses where he gained extensive experience leading global teams, and improving safety, profitability, sustainability and diversity. Mr. Palmer serves on the Board of the Minerals Council of Australia and as Chair of the Council’s Health and Safety Committee. He earned his Master of Engineering Science and Bachelor of Engineering degrees from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Chris Robison was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2015, having previously served as Executive Vice President, Operations and Projects since May 2013. Prior to this, Mr. Robison was Chief Operating Officer for Rio Tinto Minerals, where he managed a global portfolio of mines, processing and shipping facilities. His career spans the copper, gold, molybdenum, borates and talc mining sectors and is distinguished by achievements in improving safety, productivity, work practices and organizational effectiveness, and in developing people. He is a member of the Society of Metallurgical Engineers and serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Nevada, Mackay School of Mines, where he also earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering.

Newmont is a leading gold and copper producer. The Company employs approximately 29,000 employees and contractors, with the majority working at managed operations in the United States, Australia, Ghana, Peru, Indonesia and Suriname. Newmont is the only gold producer listed in the S&P 500 index and was named the mining industry leader by the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index in 2015. The Company is an industry leader in value creation, supported by its leading technical, environmental, social and safety performance. Newmont was founded in 1921 and has been publicly traded since 1925.