Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – The Oyu Tolgoi Board of Directors have today approved the appointment of Craig Kinnell as the new Oyu Tolgoi President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Kinnell, currently the Chief Marketing Officer for Rio Tinto Copper, will commence his new position on 1 October 2013.
Over the past three years, Mr Kinnell, has been instrumental in developing Rio Tinto’s strategy for increasing revenue from the Copper business, including international market price as part of Oyu Tolgoi’s long-term sales contracts.
Chairman of the Oyu Tolgoi Board of Directors, Mr Batsukh Galsan said: “I’m delighted that Craig Kinnell will be taking up this position. He has a proven history as a dynamic and very capable leader. Oyu Tolgoi has moved from being a huge construction undertaking to a steady and stable day-to-day business. Craig’s years of experience running mines and selling minerals at international market prices make him the perfect choice to successfully lead the project in the coming years.”
As President and CEO, Mr Kinnell will oversee all aspects of Oyu Tolgoi's operations, including safety, strategy, social license to operate and growth initiatives. He will also lead Oyu Tolgoi's Executive Committee.
Notes to editors:
Mr Kinnell has a long history in the international mining industry. Born in St Andrews, Scotland, he joined Rio Tinto in 1985 as a graduate trainee, after successfully completing a Bachelor degree in Marketing and Economics from Paisley College. In 1992, he gained a MBA from Cranfield University School of Management in Bedford, England. He has since gone on to hold a number of senior management positions including Managing Director, Rio Tinto Uranium and Senior Vice President, Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium.
Mr Kinnell succeeds Cameron McRae, who will be leaving Rio Tinto at the end of his three-year contract at Oyu Tolgoi in October and 27 years of service with the Rio Tinto Group.
About Oyu Tolgoi LLC (http://ot.mn/en)
Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Mongolia's largest copper and gold mining company, is a strategic partnership between the Government of Mongolia, Turquoise Hill Resources and Rio Tinto. Located in the Umnugobi, Oyu Tolgoi has commissioned Concentrator plant in December, 2012 and commenced shipments of copper concentrate in July of 2013. As the biggest single investment in Mongolian history, Oyu Tolgoi already is a major driver of the country’s economy.
Oyu Tolgoi is managed by Rio Tinto, which is investing global expertise and cutting-edge technology to help develop Mongolia’s mining industry and ensure Oyu Tolgoi is one of the world’s most advanced mines. Oyu Tolgoi is developing a nationwide vocational training programme, regional infrastructure, and is committed to ensuring more than 90 per cent Mongolian national employment and a strong Mongolian supplier base. These programmes will help drive economic growth for generations to come.
Oyu Tolgoi’s core commitment is to a safe work place and setting a new standard in environmental care.
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