Rio Tinto Reinstates Diamonds and Minerals Group

Rio Tinto has re-instated the Diamonds and Minerals product group and appointed Harry Kenyon-Slaney chief executive of the group. The changes are part of Rio Tinto’s organizational structure and a number of senior appointments, which will go into effect November 1.

The company operates diamonds mines in Australia, Canada and Zimbabwe and maintains a central rough diamond sales office in Antwerp. Kenyon-Slaney will be based in London.

The reorganization reflects the company's strategy of investing in and operating large, long term, cost competitive mines and businesses, driven by the quality of each opportunity, the company said on Thursday.

These changes will result in an expanded executive committee with three new appointments. In addition to Kenyon-Slaney's appointment, Bret Clayton moves to the new role of group executive, Business Support and Operations, from the Copper and Diamonds product group, where he was chief executive.

 Rio Tinto Chief Executive Tom Albanese described the move saying, “These changes are designed to strengthen my team and develop the next generation of Rio Tinto leaders. We are in a long term business and management development is an important priority.”