Smelter: Slag Load Operator

Smelter: Slag Loader Operator

• Be part of a safety-focused processing team supporting reliable smelter operations.
• Build hands-on operator skills while supporting machinery, sampling, inspections, and material movement.
• Based at Rio Tinto Kennecott, just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, supporting a world-class integrated copper operation.

At Rio Tinto, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to succeed. We actively encourage applications from women and from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We know that great technical capability comes in many forms, and we’re focused on building teams that reflect the communities we operate in and support each other to do their best work.

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide 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 a Smelter: Slag Loader Operator to join our smelter operations team and support safe, reliable, and cost-effective processing through equipment activities, inspections, sampling, and material handling work.

This hands-on role with the Slag Mill team is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys operational work and wants to continue developing technical skills while contributing to safety, quality, and consistent production outcomes.

Reporting to the Supervisor, Smelter Operations and working in a collaborative processing team environment, you will be:

• Performing routine activities on machinery and mobile equipment to support operators, technicians, and smelter processing activities while following procedures and permits.
• Taking samples and measurements using appropriate instruments and established quality requirements.
• Inspecting machinery, equipment, work areas, and raw materials to identify issues, irregularities, or potential safety concerns.
• Supporting the safe movement, staging, and handling of materials in alignment with site standards and operational needs.
• Communicating equipment conditions, process observations, and work progress clearly with team members and supervisors.
• Following established safety, environmental, operational, and housekeeping standards while supporting continuous improvement across the team.

About you

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• A valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Willingness and ability to work day and night shifts in a physically demanding role.
• Experience working in an industrial, processing, operations, mining, manufacturing, or heavy equipment environment would be beneficial.
• Ability to follow established procedures and permits, complete routine tasks accurately, and ask for guidance when needed.
• Comfort working around machinery, mobile equipment, and raw materials, with the ability to take samples, document observations, and communicate clearly with team members.

Even if your profile does not fully meet all qualifications, we encourage you to apply, transferable skills and the right attitude are highly valued.

This role is open to candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States. We are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.
• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus.
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution and a generous 401(k) matching program.
• Attractive share ownership plan.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life, including paid time off, paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you are able to spend quality time with your new family.
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through life’s challenges.

Where you’ll be working

Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, 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.

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.

Respect and Inclusion

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.

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