Specialist Mining Engineer- Production Improvement

An inclusive environment for all
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We also want everyone to feel that their voices matter, that all cultures are respected, and that perspectives, as diverse as they are, are not only welcome, but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing aspect.

At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from women, older workers, persons with disabilities and representatives from diverse backgrounds.

Everyone is different, and we believe that these differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances the way we work and our ability to succeed together.

About the role

As a Specialist Mining Engineer, you will play a vital role in providing identifying, analyzing, and implementing initiatives that enhance productivity, efficiency, and safety in open pit mining operations. This role is focused on identifying and implementing innovative solutions to optimize production processes across the entire mining value chain—from drill and blast through to load and haul, and material delivery.

You will act as a technical leader and change agent, working closely with operations, planning, maintenance, and dispatching teams to drive continuous improvement. Your work will involve deep analysis of operational data, benchmarking against Rio Tinto standards, and designing practical solutions that improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, and increase throughput.

This role requires a strong understanding of open pit mining systems, including fleet management, pit design, short-term scheduling, and operational constraints. You will be expected to lead improvement projects, facilitate workshops, and mentor frontline supervisors and engineers in best practices and performance improvement methodologies.

In addition to technical expertise, the role demands excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, as you will be influencing cross-functional teams and ensuring alignment between strategic goals and day-to-day execution.

Key Responsibilities

Production Optimization:

• Analyze operational workflows to identify inefficiencies in drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, and dumping.

• Develop and implement strategies to improve equipment productivity, reduce cycle times, and minimize delays.

• Conduct time and motion studies to assess operator performance and equipment utilization.

• Collaborate with dispatch and fleet management teams to optimize truck-shovel assignments and reduce queue times.

Mine Planning & Design Support:

• Translate Quarterly Mine Plans into actionable short-term schedules that align with production targets.

• Optimize drill and blast designs for fragmentation, dig ability, and cost-effectiveness.

• Support pit design improvements to enhance haul road geometry, ramp gradients, and bench configurations.

• Provide input into pushback sequencing and waste dump planning to improve material movement efficiency.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as tonnes moved, equipment availability, shift productivity, and cost per tonne.

• Conduct variance analysis between planned and actual performance, identifying root causes and corrective actions.

• Develop dashboards and visualizations to communicate performance trends to stakeholders.

• Use data analytics to forecast production outcomes and simulate improvement scenarios.

Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure all improvement initiatives comply with site safety protocols and regulatory requirements.

• Participate in hazard identification and risk assessments related to operational changes.

• Promote a culture of safety through engagement with crews and supervisors during improvement rollouts.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with geology, maintenance, and equipment dispatching teams to align improvement efforts.

• Provide technical input into equipment selection, maintenance strategies, and operational readiness.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering or related discipline (master’s preferred)

• Open-pit mining experience, ideally in large-scale mine operations

• Proficiency in mining software tools, Fleet Management and dispatch, Data analytic and visualization e.g (Deswik, Vulcan, Alastri, Modular mining (DISPATCH), Power BI, SQL or similar)

• Experience working in remote, multicultural environments is highly desirable

• Fluent in English and French: Chinese is an advantage

What we offer

Get recognition for your contributions, your ability to think, your hard work, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped the world move forward.

• Work environment where safety is always the top priority
• Competitive base salary based on your skills and experience
• Annual cash incentives for eligible employees
• Career development opportunities and training assistance to achieve your aspirations • Access to family-friendly health programs, top-notch retirement and savings plans
• Wellness benefits
• Rio Tinto's generous employee stock ownership plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• One-on-one wellness support (personal and professional matters) for you and your family
• Comprehensive leave policy covering all important life moments (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, etc.)  
   

About the Simandou Project
The Simandou Iron Ore Project is located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It is Africa’s largest infrastructure and mining project and represents one of the largest known reserves of high-grade iron ore in the world.

Rio Tinto holds rights to Simandou Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Construction of the mine, together with the associated rail and port infrastructure, is well underway with first production from the SimFer mine expected in 2025.

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a global leader in the mining and materials companies. We are established in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and the prosperity of people, communities, and nations. We have been in business for 150 years, drawing on knowledge accumulated over generations and on different continents. Our mission – to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs – guides us in our quest for innovation and continuous improvement, with the goal of making products that are low in emissions and meet the right environmental, social and governance standards. But because we can't do it alone, we focus on creating partnerships that allow us to solve problems, create mutually beneficial situations and seize opportunities.

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