LAP Traineeship - Plant Operator Amrun

Rio Tinto; Cook Shire; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rio Tinto Weipa is seeking Local Aboriginal Person (LAP) Plant Operator Trainees to learn beneficiation of bauxite ore and gain practical experience in mineral processing in a safe, supportive, and team-oriented environment.

This traineeship provides an excellent pathway into long-term careers within processing and operations at Rio Tinto Weipa. The role operates on a 7/7 roster with 12.5-hour day/night shifts and a strong emphasis on safety and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Have a current Drivers licence.
• Have LAP Status approval.
• Provide complete application kit (Resume, Driver’s Licence, LAP Status form and application form).
• Be priority driven, self-motivated and work independently to meet deadlines.
• Able to undertake rostered 12hr Day/night shifts.
• Be physically fit, pass D&A and Medical testing.
• Be enthusiastic, passionate and work well within a team.
• Be committed to the safety of yourself and the team.
• Be able to tolerate physically demanding work including shift work, adverse weather etc.

Responsibilities

• Operating and monitoring beneficiation plant equipment used to wash, screen and process bauxite ore.
• Assisting with the safe operation of conveyors, crushers, screens, pumps, and associated processing equipment.
• Conducting routine plant inspections and identifying equipment faults or operational issues.
• Monitoring plant performance through control systems and reporting abnormalities to supervisors.
• Completing pre-start inspections, safety checks, and workplace risk assessments.
• Maintaining housekeeping standards and ensuring work areas remain clean and safe.
• Recording operational data and completing required shift documentation.
• Responding to plant alarms and following operational procedures under supervision.
• Following all Rio Tinto safety, environmental, and operational standards.
• Participating in training and development activities to build competence across beneficiation plant operations.
• Contributing to a positive team culture through effective communication and teamwork.

Skills

Driver's licence

LAP Status

Self-motivation

Job description

• 18 month fixed term contract
• 7/7 roster Amrun day and night shift
• 12.5 hour shifts

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.

About the role

We are looking for Local Aboriginal Persons (LAP) Plant Operator Trainees to learn how bauxite is processed before being transported for export. You will gain practical experience in mineral processing operations while working in a safe, supportive, and team-oriented environment.

This traineeship provides an excellent pathway into long-term careers within processing and operations at Rio Tinto Weipa.

Duties Include

• Operating and monitoring beneficiation plant equipment used to wash, screen and process bauxite ore.
• Assisting with the safe operation of conveyors, crushers, screens, pumps, and associated processing equipment.
• Conducting routine plant inspections and identifying equipment faults or operational issues.
• Monitoring plant performance through control systems and reporting abnormalities to supervisors.
• Completing pre-start inspections, safety checks, and workplace risk assessments.
• Maintaining housekeeping standards and ensuring work areas remain clean and safe.
• Recording operational data and completing required shift documentation.
• Responding to plant alarms and following operational procedures under supervision.
• Following all Rio Tinto safety, environmental, and operational standards.
• Participating in training and development activities to build competence across beneficiation plant operations.
• Contributing to a positive team culture through effective communication and teamwork.

Successful applicants must

• Have a current Drivers licence
• Have LAP Status approval
• Provide complete application kit (Resume, Driver’s Licence, LAP Status form and application form)
• Be priority driven, self-motivated and work independently to meet deadlines
• Able to undertake rostered 12hr Day/night shifts
• Be physically fit, pass D&A and Medical testing
• Be enthusiastic, passionate and work well within a team
• Be committed to the safety of yourself and the team.
• Be able to tolerate physically demanding work including shift work, working in adverse weather etc.

Please note, to be successfully considered for this role you must complete all pre- screening questions and Language, literacy & numeracy testing.

Where you will be working

Our Weipa Operations includes two bauxite mines, processing facilities, ship loaders, an export wharf, two ports, power stations, a rail network and ferry terminals. Located on the Western Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, each year the operation produces more than 35 million tonnes of bauxite.

Our operations are supported by a 1,900-strong workforce—including 26 per cent who are women and 25 per cent Indigenous employees. Activities include mine operations, maintenance, asset management, ports, cultural heritage management, and processing facility management.

Applications close 9th November 2026.(Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this 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

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTQ+ 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.