– New Oyu Tolgoi CEO sets out priorities for leadership –
Hong Kong – Oyu Tolgoi President and CEO, Craig Kinnell today set out his vision for his time in charge of the project.
Mr Kinnell set out four priorities: safety, delivering value from the project by optimizing the operation of the open-pit mine, strengthening the project’s social license to operate, and preparing the business for future growth.
Mr Kinnell, commenting publically for the first time since joining the company, was speaking at a conference in Hong Kong aimed at encouraging international investment in Mongolia.
On safety Mr Kinnell said:
“No increase in revenue, no amount of business success can ever be worth risking harm our workforce. If we can’t do something safely at Oyu Tolgoi, we will not do it.”
On optimising the business and maximising its value:
“It’s important to focus the energy and momentum achieved in seeing our product leave the site en route to customers into the new challenge of maintaining and increasing the efficiency of operations.
“However, you don’t just turn on a multi-billion dollar complex and expect it to work perfectly straight away. The immediate challenge for us will be to run the project through its first winter. This will be tough.”
On strengthening Oyu Tolgoi’s license to operate:
“We need to spend much more time in dialogue with our neighbours in the local communities in the South Gobi. They want to know more about what we are doing as a business, but more importantly, they need to see that we are engaged and listening.
“We have to prove to everyone – in the South Gobi, and across Mongolia- that we are sincere in our commitments to the country.”
On preparing for future growth:
“I am as expectant as everyone for the day that the issues under discussion will be resolved. But speed is not the measure of success.”
“Success is judged by producing a better and stronger Oyu Tolgoi that will stand the test of time.”
As well as his immediate priorities for the business, the speech also focused on his personal excitement about moving to Mongolia and he importance of the long term partnership behind Oyu Tolgoi.
Mr Kinnell said: “I’m still learning about my new home, and about my role as CEO of a Mongolian company. Together with my family – my wife and daughter – I’m honoured to be building a new life in a country full of excitement, tradition and passion.”
On strengthening the partnership behind Oyu Tolgoi:
“We don’t rise and fall as the Government of Mongolia, Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto. We rise and fall as Oyu Tolgoi.
“Even now, as Mongolia faces the challenges of economic change and adjustment, the world can look to Oyu Tolgoi for what can be achieved.
“It will take hard work and commitment to make our partnership the best that it can be and to win over those who do not yet see Oyu Tolgoi in the way our workforce sees it.
“Over the coming years, it is through this commitment and hard work that we can show even our staunchest critics that OT is a true Mongolian success story on a global scale.”
Please click on the following link to view the complete version of Craig Kinnell's speech, Oyu Tolgoi President and CEO.
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