BHP vs Rio hinges on investors' commodity choice

London

THE backgrounds of the leaders of the world's top mining companies illustrate the choice facing investors, with BHP Billiton's chief executive having worked in the oil industry and Rio Tinto's new boss more focused on copper.

After aggressive cost-cutting and asset sales to drive down debt, the two mining giants are positioning themselves to capture growth as commodity markets begin to recover from a crash that dented company balance sheets.

French-born Jean-Sebastien Jacques has led Rio only since July, while his counterpart at BHP , Scotsman Andrew Mackenzie, has been in place for the turbulent past three years.

Both men…