Embattled former Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese made his first public appearance since being charged with fraud over his dealings at the mining giant, delivering a speech to a event promoted by Gina Rinehart.

Mr Albanese avoided scrutiny and questions about the fraud allegations in Australia and the US by sending a video recording of his address to the national mining and related industries gala event on Wednesday night.

"I'm so sorry, I just can't make it to Australia right now, but I do hope to back again soon," he told the crowd.

Mr Albanese spoke of his long career in mining, specifically his most recent role at Vendata Resources and one of his first at Anaconda Nickel, but he glossed over his time at Rio Tinto, only mentioning his experience at what came to be a Rio Tinto subsidiary, Kennecott.