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Neil Woodyer, Chair and CEO of Aris Mining | Rule Symposium 2026: Rick Rule interviews

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News and Commentary

2026 Natural Resources Investment Symposium (Boca Raton)

Rick Rule (Rule Investment Media / Rule Classroom) introduces the 2026 Natural Resources Investment Symposium in Boca Raton (July 6–10). He emphasizes that the event provides more content than attendees can consume in person, including:

  • Pre-recorded interviews of every exhibitor
  • Full session recordings, including concurrent breakout groups

Rule also highlights two differentiators:

  • Public-company exhibitor vetting: the conference will not feature companies the organizers don’t own shares in
  • Money-back guarantee: investors receive value from the educational content

Interview focus: Neil Woodyer, Aris Mining

The interview then shifts to Neil Woodyer, Chair and CEO of Aris Mining, covering:

  • His mining and mine-finance background
  • Aris’s strategy
  • Asset portfolio
  • Timeline and milestones
  • Reserves
  • Funding approach

Neil Woodyer’s background

  • Woodyer began around 40 years ago, advising mining companies on raising project finance in Vancouver.
  • Early clients included figures associated with Bema Gold and other ventures.
  • He later moved from debt/finance into M&A, partnering with Frank Giustra and helping create/advise a public company focused on acquisitions/mergers and mining finance.
  • In 2008, this effort evolved into a mining company (Endeavour Mining). Over roughly 6–7 years, they completed multiple acquisitions and built mines; Endeavour later became a large, successful company.
  • After retirement (briefly), he resumed work with Frank Lee Gold, which later merged into Equinox.
  • About five years ago, he launched Aris Mining, applying a similar “build strategy” with a focus on Latin America.

What Aris is and why it matters (portfolio and strategy)

Woodyer describes Aris’s current focus on Latin America, especially Colombia, with additional work in Guyana. He summarizes the model as:

  1. Identify assets with upside
  2. Secure funding/ownership/control
  3. Run studies and right-size projects
  4. Build and expand toward higher production volumes, with clearer permitting/feasibility pathways

Colombia assets

1. Marmato (Caldas Gold / expansion)

  • Aris financed a deal of approximately $85 million for Caldas Gold.
  • The arrangement included management and board/control participation.
  • The company moved from studies into expansion and construction work.

2. Soto Norte

  • Aris acquired a 20% position from Mubadala.
  • They concluded the prior project design was “totally wrong” (too ambitious and less socially acceptable).
  • The project was scaled down to better fit practical and permitting realities.
  • Aris then acquired the remainder to reach 100% ownership.
  • Woodyer expects environmental permitting steps soon, with an environmental application planned in “a couple of months.”

3. Segovia and Mombotaro (via Gran Colombia merger)

  • Aris merged with Gran Colombia, bringing together two producing Colombian assets:
    • Marmato (discussed separately)
    • Mombotaro and Segovia (from the Gran Colombia transaction)
  • Segovia expansion: from about 200,000 oz/year to 300,000 oz/year.
  • Ramp target: ramp-up targeted by end of this year.

Expected production ramp

  • Once expansion work completes, Aris expects its two main production assets to reach roughly 500,000 oz/year during the next year as ramps finish.

Reserves / resources and longer-term growth plan

Woodyer provides “round” figures:

  • Around 9.3 million oz of reserves at roughly ~6.1 g/t
  • Attributed to Segovia, Mombotaro, Soto Norte, and another project in Guyana (combined reserve figure as described)

Guyana (Toroparu)

  • Aris is finishing a pre-feasibility study.
  • Woodyer expects completion in a couple of months.
  • Potential construction could start beginning of next year.
  • Capital estimate: about $800 million
  • Expected scale: roughly 250,000 oz/year for approximately 20 years
  • He loosely connects this plan to an overall progression toward roughly 750,000 oz (as implied by combining existing plus incremental production).

Permitting and permitting dialogue

  • Woodyer notes ongoing permitting efforts for Soto Norte.
  • He suggests it may take another year to secure permits.
  • This timeline is framed as an important factor in moving from ~500,000 oz toward 1 million oz.

Cash position and financing approach

  • Aris has about $470 million in cash.
  • A bond/financing instrument is described as providing roughly $400–450 million remaining over the next three to four years.
  • Cash generation is described as around $400 million per year (with a mention that may relate to timing/variability tied to an external stake).
  • Overall message: Aris expects it can fund remaining construction and development largely from internal resources, without needing external financing.

Near-term milestones (next 1–2 years)

Key sequential priorities mentioned:

  • Last quarter of this year: expected go/prove that the Marmato expansion works (validation/confirmation phase)
  • By end of this year:
    • Segovia ramp-up toward ~300,000 oz
    • alignment with timing around Guyana pre-feasibility and production decision-making
  • During next year: production expected to reach roughly 500,000 oz/year as expansions complete
  • Ongoing: serious dialogue with the Colombian government to support Soto Norte permitting and higher production progression

How to contact Aris / Neil Woodyer

  • Rick Rule asks who to contact for more information.
  • Woodyer directs viewers to Oliver Drexl, Head of Capital Markets (phone and email referenced/provided).
  • If Drexl cannot be reached, viewers can contact Woodyer directly via email.

Presenters / contributors

  • Rick Rule — Rule Investment Media / Rule Classroom (interviewer)
  • Neil Woodyer — Chair and CEO, Aris Mining (interviewee)
  • Oliver Drexl — Head of Capital Markets, Aris Mining (contact referenced)

Original video