Tom Palmer, President and CEO of Newmont, has been appointed as the new Chair of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), succeeding Iván Arriagada, CEO of Antofagasta Minerals.
This transition marks a pivotal moment for ICMM as it embarks on a new strategy focused on driving responsible mining practices under a unified global standard.
ICMM is governed by a council of 24 member company CEOs, with the Chair selected from this group to serve a term of approximately two years.
Rohitesh Dhawan, President and CEO of ICMM, welcomed Palmer’s appointment: “I am excited to have Tom as our new Chair as we implement our strategy to promote responsible mining. Tom has demonstrated strong leadership in sustainability, particularly as Chair of our Social Performance Advisory Group, and his vision will be critical as we deepen engagement with our stakeholders.”
Dhawan also praised outgoing Chair Iván Arriagada for his contributions: “Under Iván’s leadership, we achieved major milestones, including key Position Statements on Nature, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and updates on Indigenous Peoples’ commitments. Iván played a crucial role in advancing the implementation of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management.”
Palmer, whose company Newmont was a founding member of ICMM, expressed his commitment to strengthening responsible mining initiatives. “It’s an honor to take on this role. My priority will be building broad industry support for a consolidated mining standard. I believe this is essential for enhancing the reputation of the mining sector and ensuring stakeholders trust that our materials are mined responsibly.”
Outgoing Chair Iván Arriagada reflected on his tenure with pride: “It has been a privilege to lead ICMM. I am particularly proud of the progress we’ve made on tailings management, nature, and better engagement with Indigenous Peoples. As the demand for minerals grows to support the energy transition, ICMM’s role in promoting responsible mining has never been more important.”
Palmer’s leadership is expected to guide ICMM in its continued mission to uphold sustainability and responsibility within the global mining industry.
