Rio Tinto Ltd. (RTP) said Friday it has appointed David Peever as the new managing director of its Australian business.

Peever, who has been with Rio for 20 years, replaces Stephen Creese who resigned earlier this month and is moving on to become general counsel and company secretary for gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd. (NCM.AU).

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Sam Walsh, who has overall responsibility for the miner's interest in Australia, said Peever had comprehensive experience at Rio across disciplines, product groups and regions.

"This breadth of experience will prove invaluable in his new role," Walsh said in a statement.

Peever will retain his current role as managing director of Rio Tinto Marine and will be based in Melbourne.

-By Alex Wilson, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-3-9292-2094; alex.wilson@dowjones.com