Sam Walsh has been appointed as chief executive of Rio Tinto's Australia operations and will maintain his position in the iron ore division, as the global mining company reshuffles its organisational structure.
Sam Walsh has been appointed as chief executive of Rio Tinto's Australia operations and will maintain his position in the iron ore division, as the global mining company reshuffles its organisational structure.
The changes include the re-instatement of the diamonds and minerals product group alongside the iron ore, copper, aluminium and energy product groups.
Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese said the restructure reflects the company's corporate strategy of investing in and operating large, long term, cost competitive mines and businesses, driven not by choice of commodity but by the quality of each opportunity.
"These changes are designed to strengthen my team and develop the next generation of Rio Tinto leaders. We are in a long term business and management development is an important priority," he said in a statement today.
"Two of our five product group heads will now be based in Australia, reflecting the importance of our base there, with two in London and one in Montreal."
The changes will result in an expanded executive committee with three new appointments - Doug Ritchie, will become chief executive of Rio Tinto Energy, based in Brisbane; Andrew Harding, will become chief executive of Rio Tinto Copper, based in London; and Harry Kenyon-Slaney, will become chief executive of Rio Tinto Diamonds and Minerals, also based in London.
Bret Clayton will move to the new role of group executive, business support and operations, from the copper and diamonds product group, where he was chief executive.
His responsibilities include a number of business support, evaluation and assurance functions, together with management of the downstream aluminium assets which are scheduled for divestment. He will continue to be based in London.
Preston Chiaro will become group executive, technology and innovation, based in Salt Lake City, having been chief executive of the energy and minerals product group.
He replaces Grant Thorne who is set to become a special adviser to Rio Tinto before retiring after 34 years with the group.
Other executive positions are largely unchanged. Guy Elliott will remains chief financial officer, based in London.
Mr Walsh remains chief executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore and his remit will also now include responsibility for the Australian corporate office. Jacynthe Côté remains chief executive of Rio Tinto Alcan, based in Montreal.
Hugo Bague will remain group executive, people and organisation, and Debra Valentine remains group executive, legal and external affairs, both based in London.
The changes are effective from November 1.
