Newmont Corporation has appointed Francois Hardy as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Mr Hardy will join Newmont’s Executive Leadership Team and lead the technical work across the business to improve operational performance and drive growth.

He will take over from interim CTO, Dean Gehring, who also served in a dual role as Newmont’s Chief Integration Officer. After a period of transition, Dean will be leaving the company in early July.

Mr Hardy brings more than 30 years of technical and operational experience in mining to the role. He commenced with Newmont in 2002 and has held roles including Group Head Exploration, Managing Director Africa and General Manager Tanami.

“Francois is a strong leader with deep technical experience and a demonstrable track record of improving operating performance. His appointment will further strengthen Newmont’s Executive Leadership Team, adding valuable technological expertise which will be central to our ongoing success as a business,” said Tom Palmer, Newmont President, and CEO.

Before joining Newmont, Mr Hardy held executive positions at Avmin Ltd and De Beers Consolidated Mines.

He steps into the new role at a pivotal moment in Newmont’s history and will be tasked with looking for new ways to enhance the company’s operations through innovation and new technologies.

Francois graduated from the Technikon Witwatersrand (now University of Johannesburg) with a BSc in Mine Engineering and received his National Higher Diploma in Metalliferous Mining from the University of Johannesburg.

Mr Hardy will be based at Newmont’s headquarters in Denver and will assume his new role as of May 1, 2024.