Aris Mining and Youth: Building Responsible Mining and Community Transformation
As a leading gold producer in the Americas, Aris Mining is committed to demonstrating how responsible mining can drive positive global and local impact. Beyond extracting minerals essential for energy transition and echnological innovation, Aris focuses on ensuring that mining is conducted legally, safely, and sustainably, while protecting communities and ecosystems.
This session will highlight inspiring stories from young leaders in Segovia and Marmato, Colombia, who are pioneering projects that integrate mining with social innovation, circular economy, gender equality, cultural identity, and local development. From advancing women’s leadership in mining to promoting circular fashion, sustainable tourism, and youth empowerment, these initiatives show how mining can become a driver of resilient and inclusive communities.
Speakers
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Neil WoodyerCEO, Aris MiningNeil Woodyer
Counsellor
CEO, Aris Mining
Neil Woodyer was a founder and the CEO of both Leagold Mining Corporation and Endeavour Mining. He has an extensive history in the mining sector creating growth strategies, implementing financing plans, and leading management teams. In 1988, Mr. Woodyer founded Endeavour Financial, a successful mining merchant banking and advisory business. In 2009, he devised Endeavour’s growth strategy, and, as CEO, Mr. Woodyer led Endeavour Financial’s transition from a financial company into a mine operations and development company, Endeavour Mining. Endeavour grew through a series of acquisitions and new mine builds to become one of the largest gold producers in West Africa. In 2016, Mr. Woodyer founded and served as the CEO of Leagold Mining, which developed gold mines in Mexico and Brazil. Following the Leagold Mining merger with Equinox Gold Corp. in 2020, Mr. Woodyer took the helm at Aris Gold Corp., and led the company to its merger with GCM Mining Corp. to create Aris Mining Corporation in 2022.