Rio Tinto corporate relations boss exits following Juukan rock shelters destruction

Rio Tinto’s group executive of corporate relations, Simone Niven, will leave the business on 31 December, alongside CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques and chief executive of iron ore, Chris Salisbury, following the destruction of Aboriginal cultural heritage site, the Juukan Gorge rock shelters, in May this year.

The changes to the executive committee were announced by the board to the ASX last week. The board stated the decision came after “significant stakeholders have expressed concerns about executive accountability” for the failings identified in RioTinto’s Board Review of Cultural Heritage Management that was published in August.

Initially, Rio Tinto proposed a reduction in the bonuses of key executives involved in the Juukan Gorge blast decision, which would have cost Jacques $4.9m. Despite the context of their departures Niven, Jacques and Salisbury will all be entitled to long-term bonuses, in line with Rio Tinto’s group remuneration policy and their applicable contract terms.

Rio Tinto’s Simone Niven will be leaving the business