Sinead Kaufman

Chief Executive Minerals
Rio Tinto

In March 2021, Sinead Kaufman was appointed Chief Executive, Minerals. In this role, Sinead has accountability for the Minerals product group, which comprises a global suite of businesses producing materials essential for sustainable development in a decarbonising world.

The Minerals product group produces high-grade, low-impurity iron ore pellets and concentrate, titanium dioxide, diamonds and borates from our operations in Canada, Madagascar, South Africa and the US. The product group is also focused on meeting the increasing demand for critical minerals, such as lithium and scandium. As a result, Sinead oversaw the creation of the Battery Materials business unit in 2021, which includes the Rincon lithium project in Argentina, the Jadar lithium project in Serbia and multiple partnerships with technology-focused companies as part of the development of a battery ecosystem.

Sinead brings to her current role deep operational expertise and leadership combined with a track record and a commitment to sustainability and empowerment, advancing a culture of diversity and inclusion in the mining industry.

Sinead first joined Rio Tinto as a geologist in the United Kingdom in 1997 and has since gained international mining experience across a range of commodities including copper, aluminium, bauxite, diamonds, coal, salt, uranium and iron ore in both underground and open pit environments.

Sinead holds a Masters in Mineral Exploration from the University of Leicester and a Degree in Applied Geology with Honours from the University of Birmingham. Sinead has attended the Advanced Management Program at Insead through a Chief Executive Women scholarship.