Adam Lees | Former Chief Advisor - Indigenous Affairs
Rio Tinto

Adam Lees, with almost 25 years in Corporate Affairs and Sustainability within the mining sector, brings a global insight from working across continents in Samoa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Zambia, and project roles in Guinea and Liberia. His impactful tenure in Africa included roles at BHP and as Vice President (Sustainability) at AngloGold Ashanti. As the former Chief Advisor for Rio Tinto Australia (2021-2023), Adam was at the forefront of Indigenous Affairs, notably in response to the Juukan Gorge incident, driving strategic initiatives that have markedly improved stakeholder trust and set new standards for Indigenous rights and respect for cultural heritage in Australia and beyond. He was previously General Manager-Indigenous Affairs at Woodside Energy.  His expertise encompasses community development, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement, positioning him as a key contributor in shaping and advancing mining company approaches at the intersection of Indigenous Affairs and new energy opportunities within the resources sector.