The mining veteran could face competition from internal candidates, including former head of UK gas company Centrica, Sam Laidlaw, who now sits on Rio’s board.
New reports highlighting the environmental dangers posed by mineral exploitation at the Mining Arch have emerged, as Venezuelan officials try to convince Alrosa to invest in the project.
Indian diamonds are known for their quality, particularly those from the ancient Golconda mines, famous for producing a rare kind of extremely clear gem.
Aggregate market cap of the top 100 junior mining companies was up 7% to $12.2 billion, a level not seen since 2010, but the group significantly underperformed the Venture Exchange as a whole.
Firm has determined it's not economically viable to extend the life of the diamond mine, which can only be accessed by air year round, or by a winter road for five or six weeks in January and February.