Noranda Aluminum (NYSE: NOR) announced the hiring of Julio Costa as President of the Company's Bauxite and Alumina business. Noranda also announced that Mike Griffin, the Company's Vice President of Manufacturing, has been named President of the Primary Aluminum business. Costa and Griffin join Scott Croft, who continues as President of the Flat-Rolled Products business, and who has also been named Noranda's Chief Commercial Officer, as the core of Noranda's senior operations management team.

"Julio is an excellent operational leader with deep experience in bauxite mining and alumina refining. We are proud to add his talents to our team," said Layle K. "Kip" Smith, Noranda's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The appointment of Julio and Mike to their respective senior leadership positions demonstrates the commitment by our board and management to creating long term shareholder value through an emphasis on improving the reliability and performance of our integrated upstream business. Additionally, Scott's designation as Chief Commercial Officer demonstrates our commitment to leveraging the success of our Flat-Rolled Products business across the Company as we drive a culture of excellence in our relationships with our customers and suppliers."

Costa joined Noranda from Rio Tinto where he most recently served as the chief operating officer in the coal mining businesses in Mozambique and Australia. Costa was the general manager for Rio Tinto's bauxite mine and alumina refinery in Gove, Australia from 2008 to 2012. Costa brings a total of 23 years of experience in technical, operating, and strategic roles in mining and refinery operations across the globe.

Griffin joined Noranda in October 2014 as Vice President of Manufacturing, a role in which he continues alongside his responsibilities as President of the Primary Aluminum business. In his continuing role as companywide Vice President of Manufacturing, Griffin is Noranda's manufacturing subject matter expert, accountable for manufacturing excellence across the Company. Prior to joining Noranda, Griffin was Ormet's Vice President of Operations, with responsibility for that company's aluminum smelter in Hannibal, Ohio and its alumina refinery in Burnside, Louisiana. Griffin brings to Noranda a total of over 30 years of experience in primary aluminum and related manufacturing operations.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Croft is Noranda's most senior externally-facing officer for customer and supplier relationships across the Company. In that role, Croft is accountable for sustaining and growing those relationships, as well as building new relationships to accomplish Noranda's long-term goals. Croft began his Noranda career in 1991 and has held numerous leadership positions in the Company's Flat-Rolled Products business.