On November 15, 2023, the global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto dismissed the services of Ivan Vella with immediate effect, the former head of its aluminium division, according to an email sent to all employees by CEO Jakob Stausholm and as reported by Reuters.
Rio Tinto had previously announced in June 2023 that Vella, who had been with the mining giant for two decades, was scheduled to depart in December 2023. However, his next role was expected to be the CEO of IGO Ltd, an Australian battery minerals producer.
He maintained his leadership in the aluminium business until Jerome Pecresse, his successor, assumed the role on October 23. Leading up to the contract termination date on November 15, Vella assisted Pecresse in transitioning to his new position.
According to Reuters, the internal communication email stated, "The termination relates to actions that did not follow Rio Tinto's guidance on acceptable management of confidential information."
The internal communication email added, "The first stage of our external investigation has concluded that Ivan failed to maintain the standards expected of him relating to this topic."
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