Rio Tinto's chairman steps downs following Juukan Gorge controversy

Rio Tinto's chairman and a director are due to step down as the mining giant looks to take responsibility for the blasting of the 46,000-year-old cave system at Juukan Gorge last May.

Simon Thompson is due to step down after next year's annual general meetings while Michael L'estrange, who led the company's internal investigation into the events, is set to retire in May.

Read more: Juukan Gorge: Aboriginal owners may refuse to work with Rio Tinto

"I am ultimately accountable for the failings that led to this tragic event," Thompson said in the statement on Wednesday.

The incident led to significant public and shareholder backlash, resulting in investigations into the running of the company and, ultimately, the letting go of former CEO Jean-Sébastien Jacques.

It has been disclosed that Jacques received a 20% pay rise alongside the two recently-fired executives.

Thompson's decision to step down follows on from the Tinto board's contentious decision not to let any of the executives go following the blasting of the cave system.

He faced continued pressure from the traditional owners of Juukan Gorge, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) people, after Thompson was accused of breaking "a personal promise" after he allowed iron ore head Ivan Vella to move to Canada despite his anticipation to see the deal through until the end.

Following all these controversies, Jakob Strausholm was named by the board as the new CEO in December and will have the task of mediating the souring relationship between the miner and the traditional owners once he takes his post at the end of the month.

It is currently unknown whether the five people who have been let go will be enough to quell the controversy, or whether more people will be deemed responsible and ultimately lose their positions.

James Fitzgerald, a lawyer  with the activist investor group the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, said:  “Other Rio Tinto directors who enabled the unhappy regime of the past few years, or who have made excuses for it, are encouraged to reflect on whether their continuing presence on the board is truly in the interest of the company and its shareholders."

The two executives were forced to leave following an internal investigation into the matter, which was mishandled after finding no on responsible for the event.

Tinto announced that two independent directors will lead the search for Thompson's replacement.

Read more: Mongolia calls for Rio Tinto to cancel copper mine expansion

The Anglo-Australian miner are also currently embroiled in a spat with the Mongolian government over a mine extension which has run significantly past its deadline and over budget.

The miner may have to cancel the mine's expansion, which is considered essential as the company look to shift away from iron ore, which currently makes up most of its business.

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