Sinead Kaufman - Chief Executive, Minerals at Rio Tinto

Sinead is a seasoned mining executive with over 30 years’ global leadership in strategic transformation coupled with deep industry operational experience. Most recently, she has managed the Minerals portfolio, overseeing assets in lithium, titanium dioxide, diamonds, borates, scandium, and iron ore across six continents.

Sinead has led the establishment of a global lithium portfolio across the US, Canada, Argentina and Chile and established Rio Tinto as a major lithium supplier.

Born in Ireland, Sinead joined Rio Tinto in 1997 as a geologist, and has held senior operational and leadership roles across Aluminium, Copper & Diamonds, Energy & Minerals, and Iron Ore. She holds degrees in Geology and Mineral Exploration and has attended the Advanced Management Program at Insead.

Sinead brings to her role an inclusive values-driven leadership with a strong commitment to sustainability and empowerment, and a track record in navigating complex stakeholder environments globally.