Smelter Operators – Kennecott Copper

• Permanent employment with a world‑class mining and processing organization, offering competitive pay and a comprehensive range of benefits to support you and your family

• Rare opportunity to work at an urban smelter, staying close to home in Salt Lake City, with a family‑friendly rotating roster that supports work–life balance

• Hands‑on operational roles available across Hot Metals and Materials Handling, with training and support provided

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage women and people from diverse backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to gender or any other protected characteristic. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide the materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values — care, courage and curiosity — guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About the role

We are looking for motivated individuals to join our Smelter Operations team, supporting safe and efficient processing at one of the most established metallurgical operations in the United States.

These hands‑on roles are available across both Hot Metals and Materials Handling teams:

• Hot Metals Operators work in high‑temperature environments, supporting furnace operations, tapping molten metal, removing slag build‑up, and coordinating closely with other smelter personnel and equipment.

• Materials Handling Operators focus on mobile equipment operation and logistics, including front‑end loader work and the movement of raw and refined materials across the smelter site.

This is a physically demanding role, working a rotating day and night roster, requiring extended time on your feet in hot conditions while wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE). Full training is provided, and you’ll be supported by experienced team members as you learn the process.

Reporting to the Supervisor, and working within a safety‑critical and team‑oriented environment, you will be responsible for:

• Performing operational tasks safely in line with smelter procedures and permits

• Actively contributing to a strong safety culture in a high‑risk environment

• Operating equipment or supporting processes relevant to your assigned team

• Identifying hazards, abnormal conditions, and equipment issues

• Communicating clearly with team members and supervisors

• Maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and disciplined work environment

About you

• A strong commitment to the safety of yourself and your team

• A valid US Driver’s License

• Ability to work in hot conditions while wearing fire‑resistant PPE and respiratory protection for extended periods

• A clean‑shaven face to ensure proper fit and seal of respiratory equipment

• Willingness to work rotating day and night shifts in a physically demanding role

• A positive attitude and readiness to work in a manual, fast‑paced industrial environment

Experience in smelting, refining, materials handling, front‑end loader operation, or other industrial process environments is advantageous but not required.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply — transferable skills and the right mindset are highly valued.

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:

• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment   

• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.   

• 401(k) matching program (company matched .50 per dollar up to 6% of your base pay)  

• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program, which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto Company shares.  

• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave. 

• A favorable child-caregiver leave program (Up to 100% salary top-up)  

• 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. 

• 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.

Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to date advertised.