Jakob Stausholm to leave the big mining company Rio Tinto after just four years in the job and a contentious investment in lithium production

During his nearly five-year stint at the helm of the world’s second-biggest miner, Rio Tinto has sought to repair its reputation with investors and communities.

Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm will step down this year, and the search for a successor is under way, the FTSE 100 mining group said on Thursday. Rio did not give a reason for the unexpected exit of Stausholm, who has led the £80bn miner since 2021.