Newmont Mining has appointed experienced miner Alex Bates to lead the company’s business in Australia. He has been serving as acting Regional Senior Vice President since mid-January.

“Alex’s quarter-century of experience delivering step-change improvements in mine safety, productivity, project execution, and sustainability will continue to benefit Newmont as we take our performance in Australia to the next level,” said Tom Palmer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “I look forward to Alex continuing to deliver our strategy to improve the underlying business, strengthen the portfolio and create value for shareholders and other stakeholders.”

Bates joined Newmont in 2015 to lead the company’s Boddington operation which has made significant strides in improving safety, cost and production performance. Prior to joining Newmont he was the General Manager of Rio Tinto’s Brockman Iron Ore Region, accountable for three mining operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Bates spent a significant part of his career with Rio Tinto in operational leadership roles at the Palabora Mining Company in South Africa, Energy Resources Australia in the Northern Territory, and Rio Tinto Alcan and Rio Tinto Iron Ore. In addition, he has held a variety of operating and technical roles covering asset management, copper smelting and refining, mine planning and project management.

Newmont operates three of Australia’s largest gold mines including Boddington, Kalgoorlie (KCGM) and Tanami which, together, produced 1.6 Moz attributable of gold in 2016. The expansion of Tanami – expected to reach commercial production in mid-2017 – is advancing on schedule and is anticipated to add approximately 80,000 oz/y of profitable gold production. It will also open access to 2 Moz of profitable production while extending mine life by three years. At the end of 2016 Australia accounted for 30% of Newmont’s global gold Reserves.