IVN Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN) Friday said it named former Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) executive Dr. David Klingner as chairman, replacing interim chairman Michael Gordon.

Klingner was named to Ivanhoe's board just this week. His appointment follows a sweeping deal between Ivanhoe and majority shareholder Rio Tinto for funding of Ivanhoe's massive Oyu Tolgoi copper project in Mongolia. The deal also saw the departure of Ivanhoe founder and chief executive Robert Friedland.

Klingner, who is based in Melbourne, held a variety of positions at Rio Tinto, including head of exploration and group executive responsible for the mining giant's coal and gold businesses in Australia and Indonesia. He retired from Rio Tinto in 2004.

Kay Priestly, who was recently named Ivanhoe's chief executive, is also a former Rio Tinto executive.

-By Carolyn King, Dow Jones Newswires; 416-306-2100; carolyn.m.king@dowjones.com