Rio Tinto Adds Ex-Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt to Board
June 03 2021 - 7:04PM
Dow Jones News
By Rhiannon Hoyle
SYDNEY--Rio Tinto PLC named Ben Wyatt, Western Australia state's
former aboriginal affairs minister, as a nonexecutive director as
the miner continues to rebuild relations with indigenous landowners
following the destruction of two ancient rock shelters in Australia
last year.
Rio Tinto said Mr. Wyatt, who was also previously the
iron-ore-rich state's treasurer and left politics in March, would
join its board on Sep. 1.
"With family links to the Pilbara and an impressive track record
in public life, Ben's knowledge of public policy, finance,
international trade and Indigenous affairs will significantly add
to the depth of knowledge on the board at a time when we are
seeking to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in
Australia and around the world," said chairman Simon Thompson.
Mr. Thompson isn't seeking reelection next year because of the
demolition of the Juukan Gorge shelters that contained a trove of
artifacts indicating they had been occupied by humans more than
46,000 years ago. He will become the fourth senior leader to leave
the world's second-largest mining company because of the caves'
destruction, after Jean-Sébastien Jacques was removed as chief
executive and two other executives were forced out.
Rio Tinto has said it is working to repair relations with
indigenous groups. Mr. Wyatt said he was "deeply saddened and
disappointed" by the destruction of the Juukan Gorge shelters.
Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 03, 2021 18:59 ET (22:59 GMT)
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