Ms Elvy was recruited from BHP where she has progressed through a number of leadership roles in her career, including head of integrated operations in Brisbane and most recently, head of operational services for the Belo Horizonte Area in Brazil.
She will start in March next year and also be in charge of the Gove operations.
“With Gove moving to a closure focus under the leadership of James Low, we have been working with Liss Tringove and Dan Kelleher on rethinking how we run Gove and Weipa more efficiently,” Rio Tinto managing director Kellie Parker wrote in a memo to staff.
“An engineer by profession, Michelle has more than 20 years’ experience in mining, resources and construction.
“We look forward to personally welcoming her in the New Year.”
Former Weipa employee Dan Abood will be the interim manager at Gove until Ms Elvy begins next year.
Acting Weipa general manager Dan Kelleher will remain in the role and assist with the handover.
“I want to thank Dan Kelleher for his outstanding leadership of Weipa over the past four months, and for the support shown to Dan by Weipa employees,” Ms Parker wrote.
“I recognise the challenges Weipa has experienced this year with a number of leadership changes.
“Dan will return to the asset manager role when Michelle commences and will help Michelle become familiar with Rio Tinto and the Weipa operations.”
