Rio Tinto chairman leaves over destruction of Indigenous sites After months of public backlash, Simon Thompson said he was ultimately accountable for the destruction of sacred sites at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia. The destruction prompted protests outside Rio Tinto's offices last year The destruction of sacred Indigenous burial sites in Australia has led to the departure of Simon Thompson, the chairman of mining giant Rio Tinto. Thompson said Wednesday that he was accountable and would not seek reelection as a board director next year. "As a chairman, I am ultimately accountable for the failings that led to this tragic event," Thompson said in a statement.