Rio Tinto investors welcome chair's decision to step down after Juukan Gorge scandal

Simon Thompson accepts he is ultimately accountable' for the destruction of ancient rock shelters

Investors and First Nations groups have welcomed the Rio Tinto chair Simon Thompson's decision to leave the company after accepting he was ultimately accountable" for the mining company's decision to blow up ancient rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara.

Thompson will not stand for re-election to the board next year in a decision that follows the resignations in September of the chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques, the head of corporate relations Simone Niven and the iron ore boss Chris Salisbury.