The posting
- Build hands-on technical expertise through in-house AcQuire database training and support from experienced team members.
- Work just outside Salt Lake City, combining access to a major metro area with hands-on work at Kennecott.
- Help shape current and future mining projects by preparing core and samples that inform resource evaluation and short-term mine planning.
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.
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.
About the role
We are looking for a Core Technician to help the Geoscience and Mine Planning group move, prepare, sample and store drill core from Kennecott’s surface and underground operations. Your careful work will provide data used for resource and waste evaluation, short-term mine planning and understanding the economic extraction of the resource. Working with geologists, engineers, metallurgists and drill contractors, you’ll bring a safety-first mindset, practical equipment skills and a willingness to learn new processes to work that influences current and future mining projects.
What you’ll be doing
Working in a collaborative, safety-focused team within the Geoscience and Mine Planning group, you will be:
- Operate core saws and related equipment, including the NTT core saw or tile saw, forklift, electric and manual pallet jacks, man lift and chop saw, to support safe core handling and sampling.
- Collect and transport drill core from surface and underground drill sites to the core logging and storage facilities, including driving the core truck in varying weather, lighting and ground conditions.
- Load and unload triple-tubed and boxed core, move core between trucks, carts, logging benches and storage areas, and load or unload freight pallets and crates using a forklift.
- Prepare core for logging and sampling by unwrapping triple tubes, placing boxed core on benches, washing core and periodically checking for marked fractures at the drill rig.
- Build core boxes; box, palletise and shelve logged core; and support long-term storage, including repetitive handling of tubes and boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Maintain warehouse maps and inventory, including barcode and inventory tracking, weighing assay samples and entering information into computer systems.
- Maintain clean and safe cutting, logging and warehouse areas, including the cutting-room drainage trench, and complete seasonal snow clearing with a shovel or snow blower.
- Support the core logging team with core movement, computer-based tasks and other operational needs while actively participating in the safety culture.
About you
We’re looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every “helpful for success” item to apply — if you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.
Required for Success
- A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
- A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- A good driving record and the ability to drive safely around large equipment and in an open-pit mining environment.
- Good computer skills, including entering sample information accurately and documenting work processes for operational control protocols.
- A good understanding of proper ergonomics and a willingness to apply safe manual-handling practices.
- The ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to repeatedly lift and stack items weighing up to 50 pounds, including split tubes and boxed core.
- The ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to stand for long periods, walk through large warehouses and work outdoors in hot and cold seasonal conditions.
- The ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to work on uneven ground and occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl, including work at heights from an elevated platform.
- The ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to use the manual dexterity, close and colour vision, focus, distance judgement and hearing needed for machinery use and core handling.
- Practical troubleshooting skills and the ability to repair machinery or mechanical parts.
- Effective English communication skills to analyse and respond to inquiries from clients and project staff.
- A willingness to learn new equipment and processes and perform repetitive, hands-on work consistently.
Helpful for Success
- Experience working in a core shed or with drill core.
- Welding experience
- Electrical experience
What we offer
- 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; Generous 401k matching program.
- Attractive share ownership plan.
- Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
- A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re 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.
Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to closing date.
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.
