Rio Tinto recently announced a number of senior management appointments and changes to its organizational structure, effective November 1, 2009. The Diamonds and Minerals product group will be reinstated alongside the Iron Ore, Copper, Aluminium and Energy product groups. This reflects Rio Tinto’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,” said Tom Albanese, chief executive. “We are in a long-term business, and management development is an important priority. 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.”

These changes will result in an expanded executive committee with three new appointments, including Doug Ritchie, chief executive of Rio Tinto Energy, based in Brisbane; Andrew Harding, chief executive of Rio Tinto Copper, based in London; and Harry Kenyon-Slaney, 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 aluminum assets that 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, Utah, having been chief executive of the Energy and Minerals product group. He replaces Grant Thorne, who is to become a special adviser to Rio Tinto before retiring after 34 years with the group.

For more information, visit www.riotinto.com.