Rio Tinto unveils new leadership, three-division structure to drive the next growth phase

[La Cour Rio Tinto sign at their office in Montreal, QC, Canada.]
JHVEPhoto

Global mining giant Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/RIO]) on Wednesday announced [https://seekingalpha.com/pr/20212573-rio-tinto-announces-operating-model-and-executive-team-updates-to-unlock-additional] a new operating model and executive team to lead its next phase of growth.

Starting immediately, Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/RIO]) will organize its operations into three main divisions: iron ore, aluminum & lithium, and copper.

The new structure is designed to help each unit perform better, serve customers more effectively, and take advantage of growth opportunities while still benefiting from being part of a larger group.

The Iron Ore product group will bring together all of Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations under the leadership of Matthew Holcz, who has been appointed Chief Executive Iron Ore.

The unified portfolio will integrate Rio Tinto’s Western Australian Iron Ore operations with the Iron Ore Company of Canada and the Simandou project in Guinea upon its completion.

Rio Tinto’s lithium business will, meanwhile, move into the aluminum product group under the leadership of Jérôme Pécresse. The combined product group will consist of three businesses: Atlantic Operations Aluminium, Pacific Operations Aluminium, and Lithium.

"I want to welcome Matt to his new role leading our global Iron Ore business. With over two decades of international mining experience, deep roots in the Pilbara where he currently oversees 18 mines - and as a role model for Rio Tinto’s values - he is the kind of leader we need to drive safety standards, performance...” Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott said.

With these changes, Sinead Kaufman will leave Rio Tinto at the end of October 2025.

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