Principal Adviser Geometallurgy

Rio Tinto; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety-first culture

Permanent Rio Tinto employment

Competitive base salary with annual‑in

Comprehensive medical benefits

Share ownership plan

Insurance cover

Salary sacrifice options

Career development & education support

Family health support

Paid leave

Job summary

Rio Tinto seeks a Principal Adviser Geometallurgy in Melbourne to provide technical leadership across the project development portfolio. You will shape how geology, mineralogy, metallurgy and data analytics are integrated to improve study outcomes and reduce technical uncertainty.

You will develop geometallurgical methodologies that support resource evaluation, mine planning, process design and investment decisions, translating orebody variability into actionable business insights.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in Geology, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Geochemistry, Earth Sciences or a related discipline.
• Industry experience in geometallurgy and process mineralogy, including program development with project/operational impact.
• Strong links between geology, mineralogy, metallurgical performance and economic value.
• Experience integrating large datasets to develop predictive models and decision tools, with strong quantitative skills.
• Proven ability to influence multidisciplinary teams and drive alignment across technical functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for geometallurgical programs across exploration, studies and project development.
• Develop and implement geometallurgical frameworks, workflows and standards across multiple projects and commodities.
• Design and oversee complex characterisation, testwork and data acquisition programs.
• Integrate geological, mineralogical, metallurgical and operational datasets into predictive geometallurgical models to influence resource, mine planning and process design decisions.
• Provide expert technical review and challenge of study outcomes, assumptions and recommendations.
• Identify key sources of technical risk and uncertainty and develop fit-for-purpose strategies to address them.
• Collaborate with project leaders and technical disciplines to embed geometallurgical outcomes into project decisions.
• Mentor and develop geometallurgists and mineralogists across the organisation.

Skills

Geology

Geometallurgy

Geochemistry

Earth Sciences

Data analytics

Predictive modelling

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

Geology / Metallurgy / Mineral Processing / Geochemistry / Earth Sciences (tertiary qualification)

Tools

Leapfrog

Vulcan

ioGAS

Cancha

Python

R

SQL

Job description

• Be part of a global team influencing major project investment decisions
• Lead geometallurgical strategy and shape its future across Rio Tinto's major growth projects.
• Permanent opportunity based in Melbourne (Bundoora)

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 seeking an experienced and highly capable Principal Adviser Geometallurgy to provide technical leadership across Rio Tinto's project development portfolio.

This is a unique opportunity to shape how geoscience, mineralogy, metallurgy and data analytics are integrated to improve project outcomes and reduce technical uncertainty in study and operational environments. As a recognised subject matter expert, you will partner with project teams, study managers and technical specialists across multiple commodities and jurisdictions.

You will play a key role in the development, application and continuous improvement of geometallurgical methodologies that support resource evaluation, mine planning, process design and project investment decisions. Bridging disciplines and connecting technical data to business value, you will apply strong technical judgement and strategic thinking to translate complex orebody variability into actionable insights that influence key decisions and improve project outcomes.

What you'll be doing

Reporting to the Manager OBK and Geometallurgy and working in a diverse, close-knit and collaborative team, you will:

• Provide technical leadership for geometallurgical programs across exploration, studies and project development.
• Develop and implement geometallurgical frameworks, workflows and standards across multiple projects and commodities.
• Design and oversee complex characterisation, testwork and data acquisition programs.
• Integrate geological, mineralogical, metallurgical and operational datasets into predictive geometallurgical models, and use these data to influence resource, mine planning and process design decisions.
• Provide expert technical review and challenge of study outcomes, assumptions and recommendations.
• Identify key sources of technical risk and uncertainty and develop fit-for-purpose strategies to address them.
• Collaborate with project leaders and technical disciplines to ensure geometallurgical outcomes are embedded into project decision-making.
• Mentor and develop geometallurgists and mineralogists across the organisation.

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 tertiary qualification in Geology, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Geochemistry, Earth Sciences or a related discipline.
• Industry experience in geometallurgy and process mineralogy, including developing and implementing programs that have influenced project or operational outcomes.
• Strong understanding of the links between geology, mineralogy, metallurgical performance and economic value.
• Experience integrating large and complex datasets to develop predictive models and decision-making tools, supported by strong quantitative, analytical and problem-solving capability
• Proven ability to influence multidisciplinary teams and drive alignment across technical functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Helpful for Success

• Strong HSE leadership experience, with a commitment to safe, high-quality technical delivery.
• Experience applying advanced ore and mineral characterisation techniques, including automated mineralogy platforms and technologies such as hyperspectral imaging, FTIR, XRD and XRF.
• Strong capability in resource estimation, geological domaining, spatial and 3D modelling, geochemical analysis and uncertainty/risk assessment.
• Experience applying statistical analysis, machine learning, data science and predictive modelling to complex geoscience and geometallurgical challenges.
• Proficiency with relevant geoscience, data and analytical tools, such as Leapfrog, Vulcan, ioGAS, Cancha, Python, R and SQL, together with experience managing orebody knowledge and geometallurgical datasets.
• Demonstrated experience applying geometallurgical expertise to technical due diligence and strategic decision-making, with involvement in technical networks, communities of practice or research collaborations.

What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you've helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access tofamily-friendly health and medical wellbeingsupport
• Leave for all of life's reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick & cultural leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
• Possible domestic relocation assistance

Where you'll be working

The Technical Development team within Rio Tinto Projects is responsible for providing the technical capability and governance required to advance Rio Tinto's project portfolio from Conceptual Study through to Feasibility and investment approval.

As part of a multidisciplinary team of technical specialists, you will work on some of Rio Tinto's most significant growth projects, helping to define development strategies, reduce technical uncertainty and improve confidence in key project decisions. The team combines deep technical expertise with a strong focus on value creation, delivering practical solutions that support the successful development of future operation.

Applications close on 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.