(Montreal) Former Canadian Ambassador to China Dominic Barton will become Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rio Tinto and succeed Simon Thompson who left his post in the wake of a scandal caused by the destruction of a historic site in Australia by the group.
In a statement released on Sunday, the mining giant said Dominic Barton will join the company’s board of directors effective April 4, 2022 and will be appointed chairman following Rio Tinto’s annual general meeting. Limited on May 5, 2022.
“Back in the private sector, I am delighted to join a company with world-class employees and assets, navigating a changing competitive landscape and seeking to become a leader in climate transition,” said Dominic Barton .
At the beginning of December, he resigned as Canada’s Ambassador to China, after two tense years in which he was praised for helping to secure the release of the “two Michael’s”, but also criticized for strongly recommending closer trade ties with Beijing.
“Working to secure the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor has been one of the most important events of my life and I have been incredibly moved by the bravery and resilience of these two men and their families”, he had declared.
In the statement released on Sunday, Rio Tinto said Dominic Barton “brings a wealth of global business experience, having advised clients in a wide range of industries, including banking, industrial, consumer goods and high tech.”
The company noted that the former Canadian Ambassador to China “also has in-depth knowledge of geopolitics, corporate sustainability and governance. ”
Sam Laidlaw, Independent Lead Director of Rio Tinto, welcomed Dominic Barton on behalf of the company’s board of directors. He noted that he “has an impressive background, a deep and extensive knowledge of business and diplomacy, as well as a deep understanding of the link between business, government and society. ”
The former president had left in controversy
Last spring, Simon Thompson, announced that he was stepping down after stating that he took responsibility for the mining giant’s destruction of sacred indigenous sites in Australia to gain access to iron ore, and as a result he did not will not seek other mandates.
Simon Thompson’s announcement came after former chief executive Jean-Sébastien Jacques announced his resignation. In May 2020, two caves were destroyed in Juukan George, Western Australia, on a 46,000-year-old heritage site.
The company’s successes in 2020 were “overshadowed by the destruction of the Juukan Gorge shelters. […] and, as president, I am ultimately responsible for the failures that led to this tragic event, ”Simon Thompson said in a statement.