François Hardy serves as Chief Technical Officer at Newmont Corporation, the world's leading gold mining company, where he drives innovation in sustainable mining technologies and operational excellence. With over 25 years of experience in the mining and metals industry, Hardy has held senior technical leadership roles at major firms including Barrick Gold and Rio Tinto. A graduate of École Polytechnique in Paris with a master's in mining engineering from McGill University, he began his career pioneering geotechnical solutions for underground operations in South Africa and Canada. Hardy's notable achievements include spearheading the development of autonomous haulage systems that reduced operational costs by 20% at a major gold mine and leading digital twin initiatives that enhanced predictive maintenance across global assets. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed papers on ore processing optimization and holds patents for advanced sensor technologies in mineral extraction. Under his guidance, previous employers achieved significant reductions in carbon emissions through electrification projects, earning industry accolades such as the 2019 SME Mineral Processing Innovation Award. At Newmont, Hardy oversees a global team of 500 engineers focused on integrating AI, robotics, and renewable energy into mining processes, supporting the company's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. His strategic vision has accelerated Newmont's adoption of blockchain for supply chain transparency and advanced exploration technologies, positioning the company at the forefront of responsible mining practices.