David Thornton
MD Newmont African Business Unit
David Thornton was appointed Regional Senior Vice President of Newmont Africa’s operations in February 2022. Prior to this role, he served as Newmont’s Vice President, Productivity - North America. Dave has more than 20 years of mining sector experience with a demonstrated track record of delivering safe operational performance in surface and predominantly underground mining operations. Dave joined Newmont in May 2016 as Mining Manager for Leeville and was promoted to General Manager of the Carlin Underground mines in February 2017 before being promoted to Vice President Operations – Canada and USA in 2019. Before joining Newmont, Dave spent 11 years with Gold Fields in Australia, where he held a variety of engineering and leadership roles. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from the Curtin University Western Australian School of Mines and an Executive MBA from the University of Utah.
2024 Agenda Sessions
VOICES OF DISRUPTION – Newmont
Hear from one of Africa’s leading mining companies as they outline how they are bringing positive change and disruption to the industry, the country and the African continent.
Monday 05 February 14:55 - 15:15 Disruptors Stage
Disruptive Discussions
Sustainability Series Opening Remarks
Wednesday 07 February 10:00 - 10:10 Stewards Stage
Sustainability Series
DISRUPTIVE DISCUSSION - Why gold is and is not a critical mineral
Why gold is and is not a critical mineral
- As investors and policy makers focus on stimulating production of critical minerals, won’t gold inevitably suffer?
- If gold isn’t a key component of clean energy tech/infrastructure, does it have any role to play in decarbonising African economies?
- Given gold's pivotal role in many developing economies, particularly in Africa, how might a shift in policy and investment (prioritising critical minerals) impact local stakeholders and development and growth opportunities?
- Do we need to consider wider concepts of ‘criticality’ – in considering the ‘purpose’ of ‘’value’ the gold mining industry – e.g. in stimulating growth/development opportunities?
Wednesday 07 February 13:45 - 14:30 Disruptors Stage
Disruptive Discussions
Why gold is and is not a critical mineral
- As investors and policy makers focus on stimulating production of critical minerals, won’t gold inevitably suffer?
- If gold isn’t a key component of clean energy tech/infrastructure, does it have any role to play in decarbonising African economies?
- Given gold's pivotal role in many developing economies, particularly in Africa, how might a shift in policy and investment (prioritising critical minerals) impact local stakeholders and development and growth opportunities?
- Do we need to consider wider concepts of ‘criticality’ – in considering the ‘purpose’ of ‘’value’ the gold mining industry – e.g. in stimulating growth/development opportunities?
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