Perth-based Rio Tinto executive Danny Goeman has been announced as the miner's new lead iron ore price negotiator for the company's Asian iron ore division.
Perth-based Rio Tinto executive Danny Goeman has been announced as the miner's new lead iron ore price negotiator for the company's Asian iron ore division.
Perth-based Rio Tinto executive Danny Goeman has been announced as the miner's new lead iron ore price negotiator for the company's Asian iron ore division.
The change is in response to "increased complexities" in the Asian market by appointing a new chief negotiator for iron ore in the region.
According to a recent company memo, Will Malaney will step down from his role as chief negotiator to focus on managing Asian sales as president of Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO) Asia.
Mr Goeman will relocate to Singapore in January to become lead iron ore price negotiator for the company's Asian iron ore division and will report to Mr Malaney.
The changes come five months after Rio Tinto's most senior staff member in China, Australian man Stern Hu, was arrested on spy charges, which were later downgraded to bribery and obtaining commercial secrets.
Chinese steel mills are by far the biggest customer for Rio Tinto's iron ore and the arrest sparked claims the Asian nation was seeking payback after the failure of a key business deal.
New negotiations for next year's benchmark prices are expected to commence later this month.
Mr Hu and three Chinese colleagues remain incarcerated in China awaiting trial.
There have been more recent criticisms in China from steelmakers angry at a proposed $US116 billion ($A126.53 billion) joint venture between BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto involving their Pilbara iron ore assets in Western Australia.
"The sales and marketing accountabilities within RTIO Asia and the iron ore group are being restructured to address the increasing complexities of the Asian market," the company note to staff said.
A Rio Tinto spokesman denied the new appointment was related to the controversy surrounding Mr Hu.
China also recently announced the state-controlled China Iron and Steel Association would step down as chief negotiator for iron ore prices.
The country's largest steel producer, Baosteel, will instead take the reins.
At 1420 AEDT shares in Rio TInto were trading up 19 cents, at $69.99.