Mining and metals advocacy group ICMM has appointed Chile-based international mining company Antofagasta CEO Iván Arriagada as chairperson, effective immediately, for a two-year term. 

He succeeds gold major Newmont CEO Tom Palmer, who became ICMM chairperson in October 2024. Palmer will retire from Newmont at the end of this year.

Arriagada previously served as ICMM chairperson from 2022 to 2024 and the organisation says his return will bring continuity and experience to the role.

The ICMM notes that it is governed by its council which comprises the CEOs of its 26 member companies. The chairperson is appointed from within this group and serves in the position for about two years.

“I am delighted to welcome Iván back as ICMM chair. His previous leadership left a strong legacy, with important progress on several industry performance and sustainability initiatives, including the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management and starting work on the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative (CMSI).

“I have no doubt that Iván will continue to provide strong leadership as we deliver our 2025+ strategy.

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Tom for his leadership and the pivotal role he has held in shaping the ICMM’s future direction, including in guiding the development of our 2025+ strategy.

“His time as chairperson has seen major achievements, including two rounds of public consultation on the CMSI and the establishment of the Global Tailings Management Institute. 

“This is an exciting time for the ICMM, and we look forward to advancing our goal of making responsible mining the industry standard,” says ICMM president and CEO Rohitesh Dhawan.

“I am pleased to chair the ICMM again for another two years.

“During my previous term, from 2022 to 2024, we achieved major progress in several areas, including the standards for implementing best practices in the management of, and reporting on, mine tailings facilities, as well as the initiative aimed at agreeing on common standards for the responsible development of the industry.

“I look forward to taking on another productive term at the helm of the ICMM, working closely with its CEO Rohitesh Dhawan, and the rest of the ICMM team.

“At Antofagasta, our purpose is to develop mining for a better future, and for that reason we believe it is important to contribute to the responsible development of our industry at a global level. Through our leadership in the ICMM, we can help advance this goal,” adds Arriagada.