Diversified mining group Rio Tinto has appointed Katie Jackson to lead its copper business, succeeding Bold Baatar, who is set to become COO later this year.

Jackson is currently president of National Grid Ventures, responsible for the development and operation of large-scale energy infrastructure assets.

She will join Rio Tinto on September 1, and be based in London. 

Jackson has strong international experience in the energy sector, across operational and commercial roles, starting at Shell as a drilling engineer and working in Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the US.

Following stints at Anadarko and Equinor, where she latterly ran development and production operations across Europe and Asia, she joined BG Group as executive VP for global business development and strategy. Having rejoined Shell, she was subsequently promoted to executive VP of acquisition, divestment and new business development.

"Katie brings diverse experience from across the energy sector. Her leadership will be invaluable as we shape our copper business for a successful future,” comments CEO Jakob Stausholm.

He pointed out that Rio Tinto was continuing to look for future copper opportunities across the globe, while it continued to ramp up its major Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, in Mongolia.

“We are very excited that Rio Tinto will benefit from Katie’s global perspective, proven operational and strategic leadership capability and her passion for driving sustainable growth.” 

Commenting on joining Rio Tinto, Jackson said that she was inspired by the group’s ambition to deliver the materials that the world needed.

“It is an exciting time to lead the copper business when we have such a central role to play in delivering a low carbon future and I believe my current role delivering major infrastructure projects will help me bring a new perspective. I look forward to collaborating with our teams across the globe, in partnership with communities and governments, and leading the business to an even stronger future.”