https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

IGO backs incoming CEO Vella after Rio Tinto exit

27th November 2023

By: Reuters

  

Font size: - +

Australia's IGO has confirmed that Ivan Vella will head the battery minerals producer this month after he was fired from Rio Tinto last month for a breach of protocol in handling confidential information.

The lithium and nickel producer confirmed Vella will commence as the company's CEO and managing director on December 11.

IGO chose Vella for its top job in June, when both miners agreed to ensure the Rio aluminium boss would stay at his post until year end to ensure a smooth handover at Rio before he started at IGO in December.

Rio, the world's largest iron-ore producer dismissed Vella with immediate effect in November citing a breach of confidential information handling.

"Upon reviewing the full circumstances of this recent situation, the board continues to have confidence in Ivan’s character, integrity and professionalism," said IGO chair, Michael Nossal.

Vella has accepted accountability for the policy breach and based on what is known, no information was compromised as a result of his action, Nossal added in the statement.

Rio Tinto declined to comment further.

“I regret the events that led to my early departure from Rio Tinto but, having been passionately dedicated to Rio Tinto for over 20 years of my life, I can confirm that there was no mal-intent," Vella said in a statement.

"I am now very excited to be joining the IGO team and working together to deliver the full potential of IGO’s purpose."

IGO has faced difficulties since the sudden passing of its previous CEO Peter Bradford in October 2022.

It flagged a material writedown of nearly A$1-billion in the June financial year due to ballooning capital costs at its newly acquired Cosmos nickel operations in Western Australia.

Also, production of lithium hydroxide at its Kwinana refinery joint venture with China’s Tianqi Lithium Corp has been beset by technical difficulties that have delayed production.

Edited by Reuters

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

Environmental Impact Management Services
Environmental Impact Management Services

EIMS is an independent specialised environmental consulting firm offering the full spectrum of environmental management services across all sectors...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)
Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)

CMTS is a leading, well-established EC&I contractor with 37+ years of mining and industrial experience. We execute full-scope EC&I projects with...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.063 0.76s - 140pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now