Rio Tinto has shaken up its organisational structure under its new chief executive Jean-Sébastien Jacques, with planned changes to take effect from July 2, it said.
The mining company’s new structure will include four product groups - aluminium, copper and diamonds, energy and minerals, and iron ore. These will work alongside a newly shaped growth and innovation group which will focus on futures assets and technical support.
Arnaud Soirat, currently aluminium primary metal president and chief executive officer, will join the executive committee as copper and diamonds group chief executive and will be based in London.
The new copper and diamond division will combine into a single group which would "maximise our technical underground mining expertise", the release said.
Aluminium will retain its focus on safety, cash and value creation from its high-quality bauxite, alumina and aluminium businesses. Alfredo Barrios will remain as chief executive, based in Montreal.
The iron ore division will be exclusively focused on operations in Western Australia. Chris Salisbury, currently acting copper and coal chief executive, will become iron ore chief executive based in Perth.
Andrew Harding, currently iron ore chief executive, will leave the business with effect from July 1.
Finally, the energy and minerals will be led by Alan Davis, bringing together Rio Tinto's coal, uranium, salt, borates and titanium dioxide businesses, as well as the Iron Ore Company of Canada.