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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
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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
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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:
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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.
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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:
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Performing operational tasks safely in line with smelter procedures and permits
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Actively contributing to a strong safety culture in a high‑risk environment
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Operating equipment or supporting processes relevant to your assigned team
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Identifying hazards, abnormal conditions, and equipment issues
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Communicating clearly with team members and supervisors
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Maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and disciplined work environment
About you
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A strong commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
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A valid US Driver’s License
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Ability to work in hot conditions while wearing fire‑resistant PPE and respiratory protection for extended periods
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A clean‑shaven face to ensure proper fit and seal of respiratory equipment
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Willingness to work rotating day and night shifts in a physically demanding role
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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:
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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.
Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to date advertised.
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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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.
Start your application
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
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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.