Rio Tinto has restructured its organizational structure to create aluminum, copper and other four plate business

Rio Tinto will strengthen its organizational structure and continue to optimize its performance under the management of the new chairman, Jean-Sébastien Jacques.

Rio Tinto will adjust its product structure from July 2, 2016 to better fit its business strategy and increase efficiency. The Group's world-class assets will serve as the core of the business and will receive efficient and flexible global function support.

Jean-Sébastien Jacques said: "In the trial period of the entire industry, Rio Tinto has performed quite well. Our goal is to be able to maintain good performance and create value for shareholders and teams in the present and in the long run.

“Our strategy will not change the strength of the balance sheet and focus on the shareholders' earnings; but we are currently committed to strengthening the structure and putting our assets at the core of our business to improve our performance.

"It is a pleasure to announce that our new executive team consists of members from seven countries. Each new team member has more than 20 years of experience in the resource industry. The skills of our existing executive team will therefore be strengthened and complemented.

“We will work together with all employees in the world to create a better group, increase revenue, and witness growth.

Rio Tinto's organizational structure will include four product groups - aluminum, copper & diamonds, energy & minerals and iron ore.

The Aluminium Group under the new structure will retain its high quality bauxite, alumina and electrolytic aluminum business for the creation of safety, wealth and value. Alfredo Barrios will continue to serve as chairman of the Montreal business.

The iron ore division will focus on our iron ore operations in Western Australia. Chris Salisbury, currently Chairman of the Copper & Coal Group, will serve as chairman of the iron ore division of the company's Perth business.

The Copper & Diamond division will combine two marketing operations into one product group, thereby maximizing our underground mining technology. Arnaud Soirat will serve as chairman of the copper & diamonds division of the executive committee. The current Chairman and CEO of Aluminum Division, Arnaud, will serve in London.

The Energy & Minerals Department has adjusted the product structure of Alan Davies and merged Rio Tinto's coal, uranium, salt, borate, titanium dioxide and Canadian iron ore companies. Alan, the current chairman of the Diamond & Minerals Department, will continue to serve in London.

The Growth & Innovation Department will provide strategic leadership and technical support. Stephen McIntosh, currently the executive director of the Technology & Innovation division, will serve as the executive director of the Growth & Innovation division of the Brisbane business.

In addition, for the sake of health and safety, we first arranged for executive committee members to manage an independent department.

Joanne Farrell, currently Global Head of Global Health & Safety & Environment & Community, will become the Head of Health & Safety & Environment Group in Perth. Joanne has more than 35 years of experience in mining and will become a managing director of Australia.

The current Chairman of Iron Ore Department, Andrew Harding, will leave office on July 1, 2016.

Jean-Sébastien Jacques said: “I would like to thank Andrew for his contributions to Rio Tinto over 25 years, including its six years in the Executive Committee. Andrew has performed in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. He also led our global iron. Ore and copper business, I hope his future will be brighter.

Rio Tinto's new executive committee duties:

Chairman: Jean-Sébastien Jacques

Chief Financial Officer: Christopher Lynch

Head of Organizational Resources: Hugo Bague

Aluminum Chairman: Alfredo Barrios

Energy & Minerals Chairman: Alan Davies

Health & Safety & Environment Group Leader: Joanne Farrell

Head of Growth & Innovation: Stephen McIntosh

Iron Ore Chairman: Chris Salisbury

Copper & Diamond Chairman: Arnaud Soirat

Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs Group: Debra Valentine

Remarks:

Andrew Harding’s departure arrangements are in line with the remuneration policy and are reported in the 2016 annual report. The remuneration arrangements of all Executive Committee members are also in line with the remuneration policy, including international and domestic dispatch support, and will be reported in the 2016 annual report.