Movement at Rio Tinto and Albemarle

Keep up with the latest executive movements across the mining sector, featuring Rio Tinto, Albemarle and Rumble Resources.

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Rio Tinto has welcomed James ‘Joc’ O’Rourke as a new non-executive director, bringing with him significant experience working in commodities such as gold, copper and potash.

O’Rourke previously acted in a variety of roles at the Mosaic Company, including chief executive officer (CEO), executive vice president of operations, chief operating officer, and president.

Prior to that, O’Rourke worked at Barrick Gold as president of its Australia Pacific division. In this role, he led 10 gold and copper mines in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

He is currently an independent non-executive director of the Toro Company and Weyerhaeuser.

“I am pleased to be joining Rio Tinto and excited about the long-term strategy it is pursuing to help enable the energy transition and to thrive in a decarbonising world,” O’Rourke said.

“I will be working closely with my fellow board members to support this and to help realise the significant opportunities that lie in front of the company.”

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Albemarle has appointed Neal Sheorey as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO).

This will coincide with Albemarle’s current executive vice president and CFO Scott Tozier transitioning from this role to become a strategic advisor to the CEO.

Sheorey most recently worked at Dow, where he served for more than 20 years in finance, business and corporate leadership roles, including as vice president of Dow’s coatings and performance monomers business unit – a portfolio with more than $4 billion in sales.

Tozier first joined Albemarle in 2011 as senior vice president and CFO.

“Scott’s steady leadership, strategic market knowledge and extensive financial acumen have driven Albemarle’s growth strategy for more than a decade,” said Albemarle CEO Kent Masters.

“Most importantly, Scott’s enduring commitment to our core values and his unwavering belief in Albemarle’s mission and vision are distinguishing characteristics that will continue to serve the company in this new advisory role.”

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Former Poseidon Nickel boss Peter Harold has joined Rumble Resources as its new managing director and CEO, effective from February 12, 2024.

Harold played an instrumental role in leading Poseidon for 3.5 years. During that time, the company raised significant equity and completed bankable feasibility studies to support the restart of the Black Swan nickel project.

Harold will be tasked with transforming Rumble’s emerging Earaheedy zinc-lead-silver project in WA.

“I was attracted to Rumble by the combination of the commodity mix, size of the existing resource at Earaheedy, the exceptional growth potential of the project, and the board and management team,” Harold said.

“I started my career in mining on the Golden Grove zinc-copper project and have always wanted to get back into zinc as it will play a vital role globally in our transition to a renewable future.”

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Esteemed resources industry figure Cath Norman has joined Boadicea Resources as its new managing director.

Norman’s appointment came after Boadicea conducted an executive search process in the wake of the impending retirements of non-executive chair Domenic De Marco and managing director Jon Reynolds.

A geophysicist with more than 30 years’ experience in mining and oil and gas industries, Norman most recently led graphite miner Lincoln Minerals out of a long-term suspension from the ASX.

Boadicea non-executive director James Barrie said Norman would bring significant exploration expertise to the company.

“To have such a high-calibre resources industry executive keen to join our board is testament to the attractive projects and locations we are working in and the sound governance framework in place.” Barrie said.

“Cath’s appointment provides shareholders with confidence the company’s strong exploration focus will be driven with a new style of vigour and direction with the aim of realising the potential of the company’s undervalued assets.”

Boadicea holds 15 mineral tenements across Australia, where it is exploring for commodities such as lithium, rare earths, gold, nickel and cobalt.

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Ramelius Resources CFO Tim Manners has resigned from his role to take on a CFO role at another company.

Manners joined Ramelius in October 2017 and will continue with the company until January 2024 to support a transition to a new CFO.

“Tim has played an important role in the growth of the company,” Ramelius managing director Mark Zeptner said. “We are highly appreciative of his efforts and contribution, and we wish him well for the future.”