en.Wedoany.com Reported - Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Newmont Corporation, called on the industry, governments, and society to rethink mining from a collaborative perspective at the World Mining Congress 2026, emphasizing the efficient use of invested capital and the building of long-term trust.
Speaking on the panel "System Vision: How to Extract Greater Value from Existing Resources," Viljoen noted that the current challenge lies not only in developing new projects but also in optimizing existing ones. She stated that capital has already been invested in mines, teams are familiar with the assets, and value resides in these operating projects. She emphasized the need to focus on near-mine exploration and uncover resources beyond the books, as many value opportunities can be found in already operational sites.
The role of human capital in industry productivity and transformation was another core theme of her remarks. Viljoen said that sometimes the industry measures investment in monetary terms, but time invested in employee development is equally an investment. On governance, she stressed that whether it is industry, government, or society, minerals and metals need to be extracted, and how they are extracted presents the opportunity. She proposed that structural change must begin with understanding and committing to each party's role.
Viljoen cited the saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together," to underscore the importance of public-private collaboration in addressing industry challenges. She also warned that even with technical and financial capabilities, a lack of social license could hinder investment. Finally, she urged industry participants to move from reflection to collaborative action, holding each other accountable to drive cooperation.
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