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Rio Tinto BC Works General Manager departs

Affonso Bizon will be starting his new position on Feb. 1, 2022, and is expected to leave BC Works before year-end.
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Affonso Bizon posing next to a Rio Tinto vehicle. (Photo Submitted/Affonso Bizon)

Rio Tinto’s BC Works will see a new general manager (GM) as Affonso Bizon, the current one, is moving on to an equivalent position with the multinational’s Pacific operations.

“He will relocate to Brisbane, Australia. Michel Charron, currently Program Director, BC Works restart, has been appointed Acting GM, BC Works, while the recruitment process for a new GM is taking place,” a Rio Tinto statement indicated Dec. 3.

Bizon is leaving the province before year-end and will start his new position Feb. 1, 2022.

Charron has been working with Bizon the last month in preparation for the handover, work that includes fully restarting the Kitimat smelter following a lengthy strike earlier this year.

“Rio Tinto wishes to thank Affonso for his leadership and all his efforts to drive continuous improvement at BC Works,” said the Rio Tinto statement.

Bizon arrived in Kitimat in September 2019. He is Brazilian by birth and he established his career in the beginning at a cable plant and aluminum smelter. He received his first GM position while in Brazil.

He then relocated in the mid-2000s to North America becoming a business improvement leader. He then developed a love for winter sports including, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling.

Bizon has previously worked for Rio Tinto in Australia.



Christian Aspostolovsky

About the Author: Christian Aspostolovsky

Born and raised in Kitchener Ontario before I found my way up to northwest B.C. working at a small radio station as a news reporter.
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