The posting
If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it. Our Internship Program is an opportunity for you to shape Rio Tinto from the inside out. We want you to be part of our leading global company to help take us forward by solving the emerging challenges of our time. At Rio Tinto, we believe the best ideas come from bringing people together with different perspectives to work toward a common goal - to create a better tomorrow.
About the role
Finding better ways™ to provide the materials the world needs.
We are offering a 3-month internship opportunity in Environmental Engineering at Rio Tinto Kennecott in Salt Lake City, Utah.
We are an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most exciting data and tools on the planet. We are the world leader in automation and smart mining. We have technical development programs that are industry-leading and recognize the unique nature of your role. These provide opportunities to grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills.
Working in a challenging and exciting environment, you will be:
- Identify and manage environmental and sustainability-related risks through both proactive initiatives and responsive activities, including investigations, reporting, and implementation of best practices.
- Support environmental remediation, closure, and sustainability projects across one of the world's largest open-pit mining operations.
- Assist with groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediment monitoring programs, including field sampling, data management, and interpretation.
- Contribute to active water treatment and remediation projects focused on protecting water quality and advancing long-term environmental stewardship objectives.
- Participate in wetland ecology and ecotoxicology studies, helping evaluate environmental conditions and remediation effectiveness.
- Analyze environmental data and prepare technical summaries, reports, presentations, and project documentation.
Work alongside environmental engineers, hydrogeologists, geochemists, ecologists, and regulatory specialists to support ongoing environmental compliance and improvement initiatives.
What you’ll bring
- A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
- At least one year completed in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Law, Ecology, Sustainability, HSE, Environmental Engineering or other related field
- Leadership skills, eagerness to learn and ready for the challenge ahead
- Resilience and a positive attitude when tackling complex environmental challenges and changing priorities
- Initiative, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently with appropriate guidance
- An interest in environmental remediation, water quality, mine closure, and ecological restoration
- Good communication skills and ability to work in a team
*To be eligible, you must be a registered student at a recognized American university, have the right to work full-time in the United States and have a valid Driver’s license.
What we offer
- A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
- A competitive salary
- A relocation lump-sum offered for students (for eligible students)
- Reimburse 1-time travel to and from your work site (for eligible students)
- Ambitious, exciting and rewarding experience
- Opportunity to build relationships with the Rio Tinto team and community
- A great chance to prepare yourself to join our Graduate Development Program
Where will you 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.
*Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove job postings as there is enough applicants, therefore, if you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please submit your application as soon as possible.
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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.
