Rio Tinto has announced a new executive team in a major reorganisation that will include iron ore boss and one-time CEO hopeful, Andrew Harding, leaving the mining giant.
Rio Tinto has announced a new executive team in a major reorganisation that will include iron ore boss and one-time CEO hopeful, Andrew Harding, leaving the mining giant.
Incoming Rio chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques announced late on Tuesday that Chris Salisbury, currently acting copper and coal chief executive, will become the head of iron ore operations as part of a reorganisation effective from July 2.
Under the new structure, the iron ore division will focus solely on the company's Pilbara operations, which have been the main profit driver for Rio over the past decade.
Mr Harding had been seen as a contender to replace Sam Walsh as CEO, who will retire on July 1 to be replaced by Mr Jacques.
Mr Harding will now leave the company on that date.
The departure is part of a raft of changes the new CEO will bring to the global resources company.
A new company structure will include a growth and innovation group alongside four product groups of aluminium, a newly combined copper and diamonds, energy and minerals, and iron ore.
Montreal-based Alfredo Barrios remains head of aluminium; Arnaud Soirat will head copper and diamonds from London; London-based Alan Davies will take energy and minerals, including Rio's Canadian iron ore business; and Brisbane-based Stephen McIntosh will head growth and innovation.
Perth-based Joanne Farrell will become managing director for Rio's Australian operations and group executive for health, safety, and environment.
The new iron ore boss, Mr Salisbury, was appointed acting chief executive of Rio’s current copper and coal group in March this year.
Before this appointment he was chief operating officer, coal, with accountability for coal mines in NSW, Queensland and South Africa.
Mr Salisbury has been with Rio for more than 28 years with experience spanning bauxite, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, coal, port logistics and uranium.
In a statement, Mr Jacques said the new structure would improve efficiency and performance.
"I am pleased to unveil our new executive team which represents seven nationalities and is as diverse as it is experienced," he said.
Mr Jacques also wished Mr Harding the best for the future, thanking him for his "dedication and commitment to Rio Tinto after almost 25 years with the business".
"During his long career with the company he has led our global iron ore and copper businesses, delivering marked performance improvements," Mr Jacques said.
The Rio changes come four months after rival miner BHP Billiton's top Perth executive, Jimmy Wilson, lost his job when the position of president iron ore was abolished.
Under BHP's current structure, Melbourne-based Mike Henry has responsibility for all of the company's mining operations in Australia.
The company’s most senior WA executive is Edgar Basto, who was appointed asset president WA iron ore, with effect from March 1.