Ruben Fernandes

Chief Operating Officer, Anglo American

Ruben Fernandes has been working for Anglo American since 2012 in several CEO roles. He managed Base Metals Division from 2019 to 2023 and is currently the Regional Director for Americas, responsible for copper, nickel and iron ore businesses. He is a metallurgical engineer graduated from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, with an MBA from the University of São Paulo (USP) and Ibmec, in addition to specializations at the Universities of Harvard, MIT and IMD (Switzerland). He has over 35 years in the mining sector at companies such as Votorantim, Vale and Anglo American. He has international certification as Board of Directors member, from INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau, France. 

As Chief Operating Officer, Ruben is responsible for ensuring safe and responsible operations, optimising performance, future options and commercial value across Anglo American's portfolio.  Prior to this role, Ruben served as regional director for the Americas, CEO of Base Metals and CEO of Anglo American Brazil. 

He serves on the executive committee of Anglo American plc in London, in addition to being the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Anglo Group's controlled and associated companies in South America.

Ruben will be speaking at the Critical Minerals Forum during Australian Mining Week 2025.