KEY POINTS
- Rio Tinto restructures into Iron Ore, Aluminium & Lithium, and Copper.
- Iron Ore unit will include the Simandou project in Guinea.
- Lithium operations shift under aluminium for greater synergies.
The company announced that it will now operate three product groups: Iron Ore, Aluminium & Lithium, and Copper.
Executives said the reorganisation aims to drive safe, sustainable, and profitable growth while positioning the company to capitalise on energy transition demand.
Iron Ore: All operations including Guinea’s Simandou project will be consolidated under Matthew Holcz, newly appointed chief executive of the division.
Aluminium & Lithium: Lithium operations will shift into this group, led by Jérôme Pécresse, to create a streamlined portfolio centred on processing and downstream opportunities.
Copper: Katie Jackson will continue to further lead the copper business, positioned to benefit from global electrification trends.
Driving performance and value creation
Rio Tinto said the reshaped model will allow shared deployment of productivity initiatives, including its safe production system, which has already improved performance in aluminium.
Chief executive Simon Trott emphasised that the changes reflect a sharper focus on “the most compelling opportunities,” bringing greater accountability and also a disciplined approach to capital allocation.
In addition, “This new structure, grounded in safety and operational excellence, will set new standards for value creation,” Trott said.
