Yahoo Finance Rio Tinto names new boss to move on from aboriginal caves scandal
Rio Tinto has appointed Jakob Stausholm as its new chief executive as the mining company seeks to put the Juukan Gorge scandal behind it.
Mr Stausholm, who joined as the group's chief financial officer in 2018, will start his new role on Jan 1, replacing outgoing boss Jean-Sebastien Jacques.
Mr Jacques was forced to quit after an international outcry following the mining giant's disastrous decision to blow up 46,000-year-old sacred caves in Australia in search of iron ore. He will leave Rio on March 31, the company said.
The FTSE 100 miner has been told by Australian politicians to find a way to rebuild the Aboriginal site, which contains valuable prehistoric traces.
Mr Stausholm spent most of his career at Royal Dutch Shell in several financial positions, including chief internal auditor for the oil major.
Chairman Simon Thompson said: "[Mr Stausholm] has a proven track record as a senior executive with deep industrial and resources experience spanning strategy development and technology, as well as financial and risk management.
"He has also demonstrated the ability to build effective relationships and has a strong personal commitment to the role of business in promoting sustainable development."
The company said Peter Cunningham, who has worked at the miner for almost three decades, will be appointed as its finance chief on an interim basis.
Mr Stausholm said he was "humbled" to be given the opportunity to lead Rio.
He added: "Rio Tinto's purpose is to produce the materials essential to human progress and I remain deeply committed to this after the difficult times we have faced during 2020.
"I look forward to leading Rio Tinto and working with my colleagues across the business to ensure that we maintain strong safety, operational and financial performance, while progressing our growth, sustainability and technology strategies.
"I am also acutely aware of the need to restore trust with Traditional Owners and our other stakeholders, which I view as a key priority for the company."
Shares rose 1.8pc to 116.4p in early trading.
