Stéphane Rio

Director with strong experience in several remote world regions (China, Ukraine, Canada, South Africa, New-Caledonia) working for international mining groups. Strong cross-cultural skill & demonstrated leadership.

Technical Director - VICAT - Kazakhstan

(2024-01 - 2025-12)

Cement operations

• Manage maintenance department. 65 peoples, 6 direct reports.
• Manage Capex and projects.

Operations Director - NSD SOFITER-Titanobel - New Caledonia

(2023-01 - 2024-12)

Manage a company specialized in drilling and blasting. Ensures the profitability of the subsidiary, the safety of its staff, its sustainability, and its growth in compliance with internal procedures and regulations in force.

• 45 people, 5 direct reports.
• Budget 2024: turnover 12M€.

Mining Director (East Area) - Eramet-SLN - New Caledonia

(2022-01 - 2023-12)

Covers mining operations (350 people), strengthen safety culture & compliance with environmental regulations. Drive with energy a policy of improving performances, preserving social cohesion. Mineral supply: 1,5 Mt pa (6Mt total moved - 2 mines). Operating budgets 2022: OPEX: 45M€, CAPEX: 2M€.

• Reduce cost of production in 2022 vs Budget by 6% on one mine.
• Define a new mining operation organisation.

Operations Director - Imerys Fused Minerals - France

(2020-01 - 2022-12)

Covers Maintenance and Production Departments (60 people). 25 kt pa final product. Organizing, planning & monitoring production and ensures the maintenance of all the plant's equipment & infrastructures. Identify Capex for continuity, process & cost improvement.

• Initiate a 5-year capex plan (7M€/pa).
• Proposed & deployed a new maintenance organisation.

Technical Director - Imerys Aluminates - South-Africa

(2014-01 - 2020-12)

Covers Technical Department: Capital Expenditure projects, Process Improvement & Operational Excellence Program Leader (I3) over 6 industrial sites, headcount of 350 people (5 direct reports). Covers Imerys SA Quality Departt (ISO 9001 QMS) including key sponsor in New Product Development. Active participat° & commitment in Imerys Safety initiatives through strong engagement with shop floor employees.

• Zero accident in 6 years. No blockage due to conflict with local communities.
• Decrease cost of production by 3,5% every year as a result of about x20 I3 projects.
• Six new Bag filters manufactured/installed generating 3 Mzar additional yearly revenue.
• Reduce number of quality customers claims from 45 in 2014 to 10 in 2020.
• x3 new products developed and commercialized 2016-2018.
• Win 2017 Imerys global excellence I3 Award.

Site Director - Imerys Refractory Minerals - China

(2011-01 - 2014-12)

Cover Mining & Processing Plant Operations (2 mines & 1 plant - 150 people). Processing plant process: crushing, screening, dense media separation, magnetic separation, rotary drying, packaging, dispatching. Manage relations with local authorities. Mineral supply to plant: 0,5 Mt pa (1Mt total moved at the mine). Operating budgets 2014: OPEX: 5M€, CAPEX: 0,5 M€. Final Production: 25 Kt of andalusite pa.

• Reduce TF2 by 40% over 3 years as a result of Imerys safety standards deployment (from 6 to less than 4).
• Renewed 100% of the board team.
• Defined optimized pit design & implement selective mining both resulting in andalusite plant recovery increase from 4 to 5% (+25%).
• Increase plant productivity by 15% over a period of 2 years.

Site Director - Imerys Timcal - Canada

(2010-01 - 2011-12)

Mining and processing plant Operations. 70 Kt of graphite pa, 65 peoples. Mineral supply to plant: 0,7 Mt pa.

Site Director - Imerys Ceramics - Ukraine

(2008-01 - 2010-12)

Manage a company specialized in Mining and Processing kaolin (targeted markets: ceramics & cement producers). Produce high quality grade materials (70kt/year), focusing on Safety/Quality/Continuous Improvement /mines. Industrial and commercial Budget preparation as well as follow up vs budget & monthly financial reporting. Structure work with administrations - Mining Licenses, land allocation, safety permits, fiscal and tax management.

Work on a green field project: Kaolin refinery factory - 48 M€ capex (140kt pa refined kaolin - 20% margin). Manage and develop teams of about 25 people (including Mining Eng., Senior Accountant and Sales Mgr.).

• Reduce TF2 by 20% over 2 years (from 3 to 2,4).
• Re-organized account Department.
• Refund 80% of VAT from Ukrainian tax administration in 2010 (20% in 2008).
• Increase Gross margin 2010 vs 2008 by 14%

Operations Manager - Terreal - France

(2007-01 - 2008-12)

Covers Mining & Production (up to extrusion) activities (6 people). Produce high quality grade clay material (50kt/year) feeding the tiles factory, focusing on Safety / Quality & Continuous Improvement. Credible positioning with administrations for mining licenses & land allocation.

Mines Manager - Imerys Ceramics - France

(2003-01 - 2007-12)

Covers mining activities throughout Brittany (5 mines for 2 production sites - 17 people). Mineral supply: 1,0 Mt pa (2Mt total moved). Drive Prospection work /land acquisition as well as mining licenses.

Mines Manager - Denain Anzin Minéraux

(1999-01 - 2003-12)

Mines Manager - Kaolin d'Arvor

(1994-01 - 1999-12)

Degree - Fundamental & Applied Geology - University of Brest (1991-01 - 1992-12)

Master's 1 - Fundamental & Applied Geology - University of Brest (1992-01 - 1993-12)