Stephen Jones

Business Improvement Iron Ore Company of Canada

I studied Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland, and commenced work with Rio Tinto Aluminium at their Weipa bauxite mine in 1997. I have held several roles within the business at Weipa, including Heavy Equipment Operator, Short Term Mine Planner, Mine Operations Crew Leader and Mine Operations Superintendent. I have also had an wide involvement with financial analysis of mining options and business improvement processes during my time with Rio Tinto Aluminium.

I have recently been seconded by Rio Tinto Aluminium to the Iron Ore Company of Canada, another business within Rio Tinto. My current role is focused on business improvement in the Primary Ore Division.

During my time with Rio Tinto Aluminium I have also been supported with further study to obtain a Graduate Diploma of Management, and recently studied internationally at the London Business School, participating in a compressed management development programme.

I think my best achievements within Rio Tinto Aluminium to date have been the successful rationalisation of several mining fleets at Weipa to deliver significant cost reduction benefits to the business, and the development of comprehensive management and accountability systems within the mining operation during my time as Mine Operations Superintendent, that has assisted in delivering significant efficiency improvements.

I have enjoyed working for Rio Tinto Aluminium because of the unrelenting focus on continuous business improvement to remain a competitive Aluminium producer, and because of the high potential for career development both within Rio Tinto Aluminium and the wider Rio Tinto group of companies.