Senior Newmont Corporation executive Dan Janney exits over COVID vaccination policy fallout

A high-ranking executive at Newmont has reportedly been fired for failing to comply with the global gold giant’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.

The company’s North American vice-president, Dan Janney, was let go on Wednesday after a falling-out over the miner’s policy to support widespread vaccinations to combat the pandemic, The Australian reported.

Newmont operates WA’s Boddington mine south of Perth and the Tanami mine in the Northern Territory, which was last month hit by a COVID scare that forced its 700 workers into a 14-day, on-site quarantine period.

The single case ultimately resulted in 19 coronavirus infections of mine workers and their contacts, but none of the cases related to WA.

It is understood Newmont’s Perth-based vice-president productivity Mark Rodgers has taken on Mr Janney’s role with immediate effect.

“Dan has advised that he will not support or promote the company’s position with respect to COVID-19 vaccination, and therefore he is no longer working for the company,” Newmont chief operating officer Rob Atkinson told staff in an internal memo, cited by The Australian.

“We believe each of us has a responsibility to get vaccinated to protect our own health, as well as the health of those around us. We strongly encourage you to become vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to you, and we continue to look for opportunities to support government and community vaccination efforts close to our operations.”

Mr Janney was a former boss of Rio Tinto’s Australian coal mines. Mr Rodgers also worked for Rio as head of its iron ore operations.