Experienced Mechanical Craftsperson: Shovels and Drills – Kennecott Copper Mine
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Secure full-time, stable employment with a global leader in mining—offering competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and support for you and your loved ones.
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Step into a role that values your certification and experience. Your technical skills and commitment to safety will be recognized and respected from day one.
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Work where life happens. Enjoy the unique advantage of an urban mine—be home every night and make the most of everything Salt Lake City has to offer.
About the role
Finding better ways™ to provide the materials the world needs.
Are you a hands-on problem solver with a passion for safety and precision? We’re looking for a Mechanical Craftsperson to join our dynamic Mine Maintenance team. In this role, you’ll take the lead in maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting electric and hydraulic shovels and rotary drills—key equipment that keeps our mining operations running smoothly. Your expertise will help ensure our production equipment performs reliably in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
This role is suited to Mechanical Craftspeople with practical experience in maintaining heavy equipment in a mining or industrial setting, who prioritize safety in every task. Your approach should reflect MSHA standards and embody Rio Tinto’s “Zero Harm” culture, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.
Reporting to the Supervisor – Mine Maintenance working a rotating 4 on, 4 off dayshift/night shift roster, your responsibilities will include:
Key Responsibilities
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Carry out preventative and corrective maintenance on shovels and drills, focusing on mechanical, hydraulic, and structural systems.
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Diagnose faults and implement timely, effective solutions to reduce equipment downtime.
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Perform inspections and accurately record findings in our maintenance systems.
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Work closely with operations and planning teams to prioritize tasks and maximize equipment availability.
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Safely operate tools, lifting gear, and mobile maintenance vehicles.
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Uphold all safety, environmental, and company standards and procedures.
This is a fantastic opportunity for experienced electricians to bring their skills to a stable, long-term role with excellent work-life balance. You’ll work in a modern, well-equipped environment with structured training and development pathways—right here in Salt Lake City, where you’ll be home every day.
Eligibility Notice
Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship, and we are unable to take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
What you’ll bring
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A high school diploma or GED is required; a technical certification or apprenticeship in heavy equipment or mechanical trades is a strong advantage.
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3+ years of hands-on experience in mining or heavy industrial maintenance, especially with shovels and drills.
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Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, hydraulics, and welding/fabrication techniques.
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Confidence in reading and interpreting technical manuals, schematics, and work orders.
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Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
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A valid driver’s license and readiness to work in remote or outdoor environments.
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A personal commitment to safety—for yourself, your team, and the community around you.
What we offer
We believe in recognizing and rewarding your hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication. Our generous benefits package is designed to ensure you feel valued and appreciated. When you join us, you'll go home each day knowing you've made a positive impact on the world. Here's what we offer:
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A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
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Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
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401(k) matching program (company matched .50 per dollar up to 6% of your base pay)
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Generous Rio Tinto employee share program, which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto Company shares.
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Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
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A favorable child-caregiver leave program (Up to 100% salary top-up)
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Ongoing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family; to help in addressing educational opportunities, addiction treatment, depression, stress, domestic issues, financial management, and legal concerns.
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Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.
Where you’ll be working
Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, tellurium, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.
Applications close on Friday the 7th of November 2025 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)
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
Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.
Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.
JOB_POSTING-3-12035
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.
Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.
Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.
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.
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.