Oyu Tolgoi’s workforce today is more than 97 per cent Mongolian, and a major strategic focus for the company is to develop a skilled workforce that is continuously learning. We aim to attract the best talent, so that we can together deliver a safe and globally competitive copper business that contributes to the prosperity of Mongolia.
Oyu Tolgoi LLC is operating a copper-gold mine in southern territory of Mongolia. The company aspires a vision ‘Natural wealth to enduring value, knowledge, and skill’, and pursues a mission, 'Together deliver a safe and globally competitive copper business that contributes to the prosperity of Mongolia' to build one of the largest copper-gold mines worldwide.
Principal Advisor – Mine Design and Planning
- Make an impact and contribute to the development of a world-class project within a pioneering organisation
- Great opportunity to work for a global company at the forefront of mining
- Dynamic work culture and great exposure to multicultural teams
Join one of the world’s most exciting copper-gold mining projects
Oyu Tolgoi is one of the most exciting projects in copper and gold mining for several decades. It contains reserves and resources that make it one of the world’s largest known copper and gold deposits. The project, managed by Rio Tinto, is expanding underground. With a high demand of skills required to complete the project safely and successfully, Oyu Tolgoi is expected to be a significant contributor to Mongolia’s development and the prosperity of the Mongolian people.
Discover more about Mongolia and Oyu Tolgoi
Mongolia’s increasingly becoming a destination for tourism and expatriate residents. As a rapidly developing city, Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar is seen as a comfortable, yet exciting place to live. With an array of cultural and social activities available and a growing network of international schools, housing options, and leisure facilities; its home to a growing community of international expatriates.
Located in the South Gobi Desert, just 80 kilometres from the Chinese border, the Oyu Tolgoi mine and camp is a large, well-run and comfortable site with multiple amenities including recreational and sports facilities, a cinema, shops, restaurants and bars catered to a growing community. For more about OT site, please check out this video.
As part of the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mining Operations team, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to something significant and learn and develop both personally and professionally. We offer a collaborative, high-performing environment where success is achieved by working together.
The Opportunity
The Principal Advisor – Mine Design and Planning is the Senior leadership position performing a critical role in leading, advising and supporting the Underground Technical team in all phases of the design, scheduling and planning of the production ramp up of HNL1 to ensure full potential of the underground operation. The purpose of this role is to provide safe leadership, guidance, and assurance to the Underground Mine Design and Planning department and to ensure customer focus of technical services are provided to the Oyu Tolgoi underground operation in a timely and accurate manner.
What the role entails
This role is a great opportunity to take the next step in your career on a truly global project. Working 5 days on, 2 off roster residential in Ulaanbaatar with FIFO to site or FIFO internationally on 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off roster. The role will report to the Manager – Mine Design and Planning.
The role will be reporting to the Manager Mine Design and Planning, with its key duties and responsibilities including:
- Support, assist and provide coverage for the Manager Mine Design and Planning to succeed and sustain their role
- Provide guidance, apply experience and knowledge to all facets of the Underground Mine Design and Planning department workflow
- Provide mentoring and coaching capacity to the members of the Underground Mine Design and Planning department
- Weekly underground inspections and quality checks on the Underground Mine Design and Planning department deliverables
- Lead the management of change framework within the Mine Design and Planning horizon; including cost control, ground support design, mine sequencing etc to maximize ore extraction
- Ensure QA/QC processes are set up and maintained to ensure all work that is produced or provided to other parties is the correct and has undergone rigorous review to minimize corrections and maintain trust with stakeholders
- Ensure all reporting is accurate and timely, including EOM, corporate, and other external parties as required
- Ensure all SWPs and procedures are written and up to date and reviewed regularly from all teams
- Ensure projects are generated, initiated, monitored, and completed to standard to ensure a continuous improvement environment exists in the Underground Mine Design and Planning department
- Provide leadership, experience and assistance in safety investigations, as required
- Assist in providing strategic direction to, and management of the Underground Mine Design and Planning department
- Assists in establishing and maintaining mine technical standards
- Assist to coordinate and oversee all team functions are completed in a timely manner
- Assist in completing an annual workforce plan and budget to ensure correct staffing and funding requirements for team outputs
What you will need for this role
To succeed in this role, you will have:
- Tertiary qualification in Mining Engineering or a related discipline (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
- Over 15 years of relevant industry experience, supported by substantial practical knowledge
- Minimum 15 + years underground mine experience with varied multiple appointed UG technical positions at multiple mines (ideally block caving or sub-level caving)
- Minimum of 5 years in leadership roles
- Strong communication skills and proven ability to engage and build relationships across multiple layers of the organization from management to front line leaders and workers
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to effectively prioritize tasks and work both independently and as part of a team
- Proven problem solving skills with a solutions mindset
- Willingness and ability to work in remote locations for extended periods
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences
- Experienced in working within multicultural teams and committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment
About us
As pioneers in mining and metals, we produce materials essential to human progress.
Our long history is filled with firsts. We’ve developed some of the world’s largest and best quality mines and operations, and our people work in around 35 countries across six continents. We’ve led the industry in partnerships, with customers in new markets, and with local communities.
We’ve pioneered technological innovations, such as our Mine of the Future™ programme and our low-CO2 aluminium from hydropower. And we’ve paved the way in areas such as safety, tax transparency and legacy management.
Inclusion & Diversity
We are a diverse team of talented, enthusiastic individuals who foster a culture of inclusion. No matter how they may differ, our people share one thing in common. It’s a belief that work is more rewarding when we are accepted and valued for our differences, not judged by them. We all have something to contribute, and it’s this contribution that makes for a great organization and fulfilling career.
So, if this sounds like you and the opportunity you are looking for, apply now.
Please note, in order to be successfully considered for this role you must complete all pre-screening questions.
If you would like to know more about careers at Rio Tinto Australia, you can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or join us on LinkedIn.
Deadline of the advertisement is on Aug 27, 2025
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Every Voice Matters
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 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.
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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
01
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.
02
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.
03
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.
04
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.
05
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.