Top 10: US Mining Leaders

10 Mitchell J Krebs

Market cap: $929.91mn
Company: Couer Mining
Founded in 1928, Couer Mining Inc is a growing precious metals producer whose primary focus is on silver and gold mining. The company also has a diverse portfolio of precious metal assets. 

Mitchell J. Krebs has been President and CEO of Coeur Mining since 2011. During his tenure, he has led the company's transformation from a high-cost, silver-focused producer to a more diversified precious metals company. Krebs oversaw the relocation of Coeur's headquarters from Idaho to Chicago and the acquisition of Wharf gold mine. Before becoming CEO, he served as Coeur's Chief Financial Officer and played a key role in improving the company's balance sheet and financial performance.

09 Phillips S Baker

Market cap: $3.13bn
Company: Hecla Mining

Hecla Mining has been in business for more than 130 years and is the oldest NYSE-listed precious metals mining company in North America. 

Baker has been President and CEO since 2003, serving over 20 years in the role. Under his leadership, Hecla has become the largest silver producer in the US, mining over 40% of the country's silver. 

He has focused on resolving legacy environmental liabilities and expanding operations, including increasing Hecla's ownership of the Greens Creek mine to 100%. Prior to joining Hecla, he served as VP and Chief Financial Officer of Battle Mountain Gold Company

08 James Grech

Market cap: $4.07bn
Company: Peabody Energy
Peabody Energy is the world's largest privately-owned coal compan,y with a focus on coal mining, sales and distribution for use in electricity generation and steelmaking. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the company has a controlling stake in 22 out of 23 coal-mining operations in the US and Australia.

James Grech became President and CEO in June 2021. He has led efforts to optimise the company's coal portfolio and strengthen its financial position amid challenging market conditions. 

Grech has focused on expanding Peabody's metallurgical coal operations and exploring opportunities in renewable energy.

07 James H. Litinsky

Market cap: $5.804bn
Company: MP Metals Corp
MP Materials Corp is a publicly-traded American mining company that specialises in the extraction and processing of rare earth minerals. The company was formed in 2017 through a merger between two companies, Molycorp and Lynas. Its headquarters are located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it operates a mine in Mountain Pass, California.

Litinsky has been CEO 2017. He led the company's efforts to revive the Mountain Pass rare earth mine in California, establishing it as the largest rare earth producer in the Western Hemisphere. 

Before MP Materials, he founded JHL Capital Group, a successful investment firm, and played a key role in various corporate restructurings and turnarounds.

06 Lourenco Goncalves

Market cap: $10.20bn
Company: Cleveland-Cliffs
Cleveland-Cliffs is North America's largest flat-rolled steel producer, with a significant presence in the automotive and construction industries. 

Lourenco Goncalves has been Chairman, President and CEO since 2014. He led the company's transformation from an iron ore miner to a vertically integrated steel producer through strategic acquisitions, including AK Steel and ArcelorMittal USA. 

Goncalves has been a vocal advocate for the US steel industry and trade policies. Prior to Cleveland-Cliffs, he served as CEO of Metals USA Holdings Corp., where he successfully led the company through its initial public offering.

05 William F. Oplinger  

Market cap: $6.30bn
Company: Alcoa Corporation
Alcoa is a industrial corporation based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and is one of the biggest aluminium producers.  As well as mining it also works across technology, refining, smelting, fabricating and recycling.  

William F. Oplinger has been its CEO since 2023. He is leading the company's efforts to strengthen its position in the aluminium industry and advance sustainability initiatives. Oplinger previously served as Alcoa's Chief Financial Officer for nearly a decade, playing a crucial role in the company's separation from Arconic in 2016. 

Before joining Alcoa, he held various leadership positions at Alcoa's predecessor company, gaining extensive experience in finance and operations.

04 J Kent Masters

Market cap: $30.23bn
Company: Albemarle Corporation
With a history that extends back to 1887, Albemarle Corporation is a speciality chemicals company that develops, manufactures, and markets advanced materials, chemicals, and products used in a range of industries, including lithium-ion batteries, electronics, and energy storage. 

J. Kent Masters has been President and CEO since 2020. He is spearheading the company's growth in the lithium market, capitalising on the increasing demand for electric vehicle batteries. Masters has focused on expanding Albemarle's production capacity and developing sustainable mining practices. 

Prior to joining Albemarle, he served as CEO of Foster Wheeler AG and held executive positions at Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, bringing extensive experience in the chemical and energy industries.

03 Tom Palmer

Market cap: $36.05bn
Company: Newmont Corporation
Newmont Corporation is a mining company that explores, develops, and produces gold, copper, silver, and other metals. The company has mining operations in North and South America, Australia, and Africa.

In January 2024, Newmont's acquisition of Newcrest created the world’s leading gold mining company.

Tom Palmer has been President and CEO since 2019, leading the company through significant acquisitions, including the merger with Goldcorp, solidifying Newmont's position as the world's largest gold mining company. Palmer has championed sustainability initiatives and set ambitious climate targets for the company. 

Before becoming CEO, he served as Newmont's Chief Operating Officer, overseeing global operations and driving operational excellence across the portfolio.

02 Oscar Gonzalez Rocha

Market cap: $57.24bn
Company: Southern Copper
Formed in Delaware in 1952, Southern Copper Corp is one of the largest copper producers in the world and has mining operations in Peru, Mexico, and Chile.

Oscar Gonzalez Rocha has been President and CEO since 2004. Under his leadership, the company has significantly expanded its copper production and reserves, particularly in Peru and Mexico. He has guided the company through major capital projects and navigated challenging regulatory environments. 

Prior to his current role, he held various executive positions within Grupo Mexico, Southern Copper's parent company, accumulating extensive experience in the mining industry.

01 Richard Adkerson

Market cap: $59.66bn
Company: Freeport-McMoRan
Freeport-McMoRan is a mining company that explores, develops, and produces copper, gold, and molybdenum. It has mining operations in North and South America, Indonesia, and Africa.

Richard Adkerson has been President and CEO since 2003. He led the company through its transformative acquisition of Phelps Dodge in 2007, establishing Freeport as one of the world's largest copper producers. Adkerson has navigated complex negotiations with the Indonesian government regarding the Grasberg mine. 

Before becoming CEO, he served as Freeport's Chief Financial Officer and played a key role in the company's expansion and financial strategies.