Metallurgical Engineer – Concentrator Operations
Salt Lake, UT - USA
Job Summary
Make a visible daytoday impact on concentrator performance by partnering closely with operations to improve throughput recovery and stability
Competitive base salary with annual incentive bonus plus comprehensive familyfriendly benefits
Build longterm career growth with Rio Tinto one of the worlds leading mining and materials companies supported by a strong technical community and continuous improvement culture
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 were focused on building teams that reflect the communities we operate in and support each other to do their best work.
Were 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 a Day- to-Day Metallurgical Engineer Concentrator Operations to join our Concentrator Technical team at Kennecott Copper.
Working closely with operations maintenance planning and control room teams this role supports safe and efficient concentrator performance with a focus on throughput recovery concentrate quality and cost efficiency.
This is a site-based handson role suited to someone who enjoys being present in the plant working collaboratively with operators and balancing daily operational support with longerterm improvement projects.
Reporting to the Superintendent Process Control on a 9-day fortnight (9/80) roster and working collaboratively with operational and functional teams you will be responsible for:
Actively participating in site safety programs including risk assessments Practical Problem Solving Daily Production Meetings and LeadershipInField activities
Monitoring and analysing daily concentrator performance including recovery grade concentrate quality and reagent consumption
Identifying performance gaps and recommending practical operating strategies to meet metallurgical targets
Conducting weekly data reviews and preparing monthly metallurgical performance reports outlining key trends and drivers
Providing clear timely technical guidance to operators maintainers and engineers
Partnering with Operations Maintenance Planning and Control Room teams to optimise setpoints reagent strategies and circuit configuration
Supporting troubleshooting during process upsets and constrained operating conditions
Overseeing and participating in routine and investigative sampling programs
Conducting laboratory flotation test work to validate plant changes or support troubleshooting
Working with Sampling Technicians and Electrical teams to ensure sampling systems are reliable and properly calibrated
Performing metallurgical and statistical analysis using tools such as PI Minitab or JMP
Documenting trials findings and recommendations in a clear and structured manner
Leading or supporting continuous improvement projects focused on recovery circuit stability or cost reduction
Sharing lessons learned and best practices with the broader concentrator and technical community
Conduct laboratory benchscale flotation testing to diagnose daily performance issues and evaluate reagent strategies
About you
A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
Bachelors degree in Metallurgical Engineering Chemical Engineering or a related discipline
Minimum 2 years experience in a concentrator or mineral processing environment (flotation experience strongly preferred)
Strong understanding of flotation fundamentals plant data analysis and process troubleshooting
Experience working closely with operations in a highthroughput continuous processing environment
Confidence using plant data and statistical analysis tools such as PI Minitab JMP or similar
Strong communication and people skills with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with operations and crossfunctional partners
Strong timemanagement skills and flexibility to balance daytoday plant support with longerterm improvement work
Ability to work independently take initiative and contribute effectively in a fastmoving operating environment
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.
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 and a generous 401k matching program
Attractive share ownership plan
Comprehensive leave policies covering all the moments that matter in life including PTO (paid time off) paid holidays and paid bereavement leave
A generous parental leave policy ensuring time to focus on your growing family
Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing
Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing confidential counselling and expert guidance for you and your family
Where youll be working
Our Kennecott mine is a worldclass 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 the advert prior to the expiry 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 cant do it on our own so were 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 for more information.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining group that focuses on finding, mining and processing the Earth’s mineral resources. Discover more about Rio Tinto's mining operations today.