Drill & Blast Operators – FIFO Various Sites
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Join a safety-driven team that values inclusivity, teamwork, and a welcoming environment for all.
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Enjoy the security of permanent employment with competitive pay, annual bonuses, and an extensive range of benefits to support your lifestyle.
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Achieve work-life balance in 2024 with family-friendly rosters (8:6 or 8:6/7:7) that suit your ideal way of living.
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Fly in, Fly out with ease – with departures from Perth, Busselton, Geraldton, Albany, and Broome
Where we’re all welcome
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We acknowledge that all people are different and believe that our differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together.
About the role
Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs
We are looking for Drill Operators, Blast Operators, Shotfirers, and MPU Operators to join our Drill and Blast teams across various Pilbara mine sites, helping to drive productivity and achieve operational targets. These roles are an excellent opportunity for team-oriented and motivated individuals who thrive in a supportive and safety-driven environment.
Fly-in, Fly-out (FIFO) opportunities are available from Perth, Busselton, Albany, Geraldton, and Broome to ensure a smooth and convenient travel experience.
At Rio Tinto, we offer competitive pay, great benefits, and a work environment that supports your lifestyle—because we believe in helping you achieve the right balance for yourself and your family. With our scale and commitment to development, there are endless opportunities to learn, grow, and take on new challenges.
Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority every shift. We only do the work if it’s safe to do so, and we invest in providing you with the best tools, technology, and support to get the job done right.
What you’ll bring
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Commitment to safety—prioritizing the wellbeing of yourself and your team.
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A valid Australian C Class manual driver’s license or higher.
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A strong team mindset, with the ability to work safely and flexibly to meet business requirements.
Drill Operators
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Experience in large-scale open-pit mining environments.
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Proficiency operating D65, Pit Viper 271, Sandvik, Cubex, and DML Drill Rigs.
Shotfirers
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Valid Shotfirer’s Ticket (mandatory).
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Ability to lead and coordinate a blast crew, ensuring safe and efficient blasting operations.
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Experience working with electronic detonators.
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Strong focus on housekeeping and compliance within magazines, magazine compounds, explosive vehicles, and work areas.
Blast Crew & MPU Operators
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Experience operating stemming trucks, priming, and loading holes.
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Ability to operate MPU units for both ANFO and pumpable products.
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Strong attention to detail in daily stocktake of explosive products.
What we offer
Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
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Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
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A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
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A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
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Fly direct to site from Albany on lifestyle friendly 8 days on 6 days off, 7 nights on 7 off roster
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A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive bonus
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Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
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Attractive share ownership plan
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Company provided insurance cover
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Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
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Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
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Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
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Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave, cultural leave)
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To better suit different family needs, our paid parental leave approach gives all parents the option to take 18 weeks of paid leave after a new child arrives – at a time that suits them
We are committed to elevating Indigenous voices and increasing cultural knowledge in our business. Diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together. To help you on your journey with us, you’ll also have access to:
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Specialist Indigenous Support Advisors are always there for our Indigenous employees and available to support through any aspect of your employment
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Dedicated Indigenous Talent Programme for our Operators and Tradespersons and entry level operational roles. This programme is designed to create long term sustainable careers for our Indigenous Employees to grow into leadership or technical pathways to ensure you have every opportunity to grow your career.
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Indigenous leadership programmes across some professional and operational roles to ensure that we are developing Indigenous Leaders.
Who we are
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.
Where you’ll be working
In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Rio Tinto operates the world’s largest integrated portfolio of iron ore assets with industry-leading margins. Our premium product suite, including our flagship Pilbara blend, drives strong customer relationships and is supported by technical and commercial marketing expertise. The iron ore business continues to be the world’s largest autonomous truck operator and a proud leader in automated mining technologies.
#IndigenousAU #Australia
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.
Every Voice Matters
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.
JOB_POSTING-3-5250
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs—striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes us who we are.
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Shona’s career journey
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2022 – PresentGeneral Manager Weipa OperationsWeipa, Far North Queensland, Australia
- 2020General Manager Bell Bay AluminiumLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2017Metal products DepartmentBoyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2014Reduction line Manager – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2012Services department Manager Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2011Manager Health, Safety, Environment and business improvement Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2010Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2009Operations SuperintendentGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2005Operations SuperintendentLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2004Graduate EngineerLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Working in our Operations teams
The most important thing you’ll uncover is your own potential.
Working in Operations at Rio Tinto means you can make a hands-on difference in the discovery and delivery of the materials that make human progress possible. In return, we strive to help you achieve and even exceed your career goals. Join us and experience:
Our application process
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Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
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Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
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Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
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Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
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Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.