Marnie Finlayson, Managing Director, Rio Tinto and Non-Executive Director, Northern Star

Finding the Front

In this episode we are very lucky to have a Managing Director and a leader in mining giant Rio Tinto, and a Non-Executive Director gold miner Northern Star, join the show. Marnie Finlayson is truly a leader in the field she loves – mining - and what a story this is!

Her journey, from being just out of school doing the hard yards shovelling 12 hours a day under the crusher on the Sons of Gwalia mine to being the Managing Director of Rio’s Battery Materials business really is something.

Moving around Australia as a metallurgist gaining experience across a range of commodities including iron ore, base metals, diamonds and coal is just the start. Overlay this with being General Manager for Port Maintenance for Rio Tinto Iron Ore, General Manager Operations for Dampier Salt and Serbia Country Head for Rio Tinto responsible for their Jadar deposit in Western Serbia provides some hugely valuable insights into building a career in mining, leadership, being part of a team, her challenges and the difficult decisions, and her deep insights across the mining sector including her global lithium views and understanding.

Marnie speaks so well and provides an inspiring showcase for women in mining and makes for seriously compelling listening.